I wish to be
a dinosaur
Hunter, 4
leukemia
On April 29, 1980, one boy's wish ignited a spark that became a global movement.
Today, over 500,000 wishes later, every wish has the power to create hope, renew energy, and provide a child with the strength to fight their critical illness. It can even help pave their path to recovery.
And it doesn’t stop there. A wish impacts everyone who touches it and helps make it a reality. The connection, optimism, inspirational generosity and kindness that surrounds a wish can change hundreds of lives. Maybe even yours.
It’s So Much More Than Just a Wish
How to Get Involved
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Through innovative campaigns, employee participation, generous financial contributions and mission-critical support, our corporate partners help grant life-changing wishes across the country. This World Wish Day, find out how you can help make a difference for wish kids through our generous partners.
Our Corporate Partners Help Make Wishes Possible
Community Unites to Bring Khushi’s Princess Wish to Life
After Khushi beat cancer, “She just wanted to be seen,” recalls Lacy Fitzpatrick, one of Khushi’s wish volunteers. Make-A-Wish and Khushi’s community set out to give her more than just a chance to dress up like a princess – it was a royal experience she would remember forever. Khushi’s big day started off with a surprise announcement at school – her wish was coming true! – and her classmates sprinkled her with confetti as she embarked on a quest to gather her princess essentials from local schools and businesses who all wanted a role in granting her wish. Later, at an elegant hotel suite, a glam squad delivered a complete makeover, and her family watched in awe as her confidence emerged. That night, tens of thousands of people attended the town’s annual Holiday Parade, donning finger lights and posters with words of encouragement for Princess Khushi.
“People really want to be a part of positivity and hope and that’s what we offer our wish kids, our wish families and communities,” said Valerie Cunningham, the lead Make-A-Wish staff member on Khushi’s wish. “You saw people from every walk of life and every age range supporting her and that was really unifying. We gave her family something they could not get in any other way.” For Khushi, her wish experience still feels “amazing,” especially when she remembers everyone who came out to support her. “It feels so surprising that all of that happened. The parade was not expected at all. I didn’t know that many people would come!”
Our Wish Kids' Stories
You can make a difference by sending a message of support to a waiting wish kid. Or share a wish story of your own and inspire others to join in.
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Make-A-Wish, American Airlines, Disney and The Points Guy are thrilled to bring an in-flight experience unlike any other to more than 25 wish kids and families. With magical in-flight moments, the Best Flight Ever will send them to Orlando, as their wishes to go to Walt Disney World Resort are coming true!
Stories of Wish Impact
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Hunter’s Playful Wish Brings Entire Community Together
From hatching out of a dinosaur egg at the local zoo to chasing members of the police and fire departments around town, to “breaking things” in local shops, Hunter’s wish to be a dinosaur was exactly what he needed to feel stronger and more confident during his leukemia treatment. “If there was anything I could do to make Hunter and his parents have a better day, I was all for it,” said police Officer Tony Leonard, who helped grant Hunter’s wish.
For T.J. Hamilton, the inspirational ripple effect of Hunter’s wish was enough to change the trajectory of his career, and he soon joined the staff at Hunter’s Make-A-Wish chapter. “How could you not want to be a part of this? When I got that taste of Make-A-Wish, I knew I was doing something that could help bring awareness to get more wishes granted. It’s such a good feeling to know that I’m doing something with my skillset to help grant wishes.” When Hunter thinks about everyone who came together to make his wish came true, “it makes me really happy.”
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I wish to be a dinosaur
Hunter, 4
leukemia
wish granted, 2018
I wish to be a princess
Khushi, 9
cancer
wish granted, 2018
wish granted, 2018
®
This World Wish Day, we invite YOU to take action and make a difference for wish kids.
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Hunter’s Playful Wish Brings Entire Community Together
Community Unites to Bring Khushi’s Princess Wish to Life
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