Main Heading
Droid Serif, 60, auto
Section Heading
Droid Serif, 28, auto
Text
Lato, 22, 35
Spacing
100 between sections
25 between section heading and text
Refer a Child
Thank you to all the healthcare professionals who refer their patients to Make-A-Wish. By referring a child, you help us get closer to achieving our vision of granting every eligible child's wish. If you have a child that you are considering referring for a wish, please do not wait. Just knowing that a wish is coming is very powerful.
What are the criteria to qualify for Make-A-Wish?
To qualify for a wish, a child must meet these criteria at the time of referral:
Older than 2.5 years and younger than 18 years
Has not received a wish from another wish-granting organization
Diagnosed with a critical illness (i.e., a progressive, degenerative or malignant condition) that, despite adherence to the treatment plan, is currently placing the child's life in jeopardy
Cardiology
Metabolic
Nephrology
Oncology
Neurology and Neuroscience
Immunology & Infectious Disease
Rheumatology
Pulmonology
Genetics
Hematology
Gastroenterology
Endocrinology
Cardiology
These conditions are eligible for a wish:
Complex congenital heart diseases that meet one of the following: - Aortic atresia - Double inlet left ventricle - Hypoplastic left heart syndrome - Mitral atresia - Single ventricle - Tricuspid atresia
Congenital heart disease requiring a Fontan procedure
Congestive heart failure
Frequent unplanned hospitalizations after repair of a congenital heart defect (routine studies requiring hospitalization are not included)
History of heart-lung transplant or actively listed for heart-lung transplant
Hypertrophic, restrictive and/or arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy
Implanted cardiac defibrillator
Implanted ventricular assist device
Left ventricular heart failure
Long QT syndrome
Pulmonary hypertension, active on treatment
Tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia and major aortopulmonary collaterals
These conditions are NOT eligible for a wish, unless accompanied by complications that meet other criteria:
Primary arrhythmias that are well managed with medications, ablation and/or pacemaker placement
Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)/Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)/Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)
Chronic conditions that do not lead to a limitation of life expectancy
spaces:
25 between heading and check mark/x
50 between eligible and not
30 between text and button
PDF
Endocrinology
History of pancreas transplant or actively listed for pancreas transplant
Hyperinsulinism with persistent hypoglycemia after pancreatectomy
Multiple endocrine neoplasia syndromes with evidence of cancer
Panhypopituitarism requiring hormone replacement with hydrocortisone and/or desmopressin
Thyroid cancer requiring and referred within one year of completing chemotherapy treatments and/or radiation treatments (excluding radioactive iodine treatment)
X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy with adrenal or brain findings
PDF
PDF
Gastroenterology
Chronic progressive liver disease with decompensation
Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) with a history of polyps
Hepatopulmonary syndrome
History of bowel/intestinal transplant or actively listed for bowel/intestinal transplant
History of liver transplant or actively listed for liver transplant
Liver failure (chronic)
Portal hypertension
Short bowel syndrome or intestinal failure requiring prolonged parenteral (TPN) dependence
Inflammatory bowel disease resulting in one of the following: - Complications resulting from immunosuppressive therapy or surgery - Debilitative extensive extra-intestinal manifestations - Prolonged parenteral (TPN) dependence
PDF
Aicardi Goutieres disease
Alexander disease (symptomatic)
Barth syndrome
Congenital anomaly, chromosomal or single-gene condition with associated life-threatening complications such as: - Associated major gastrointestinal dysfunction meeting gastroenterology criteria - Heart anomalies meeting cardiology criteria - Kidney dysfunction meeting nephrology criteria - Motor seizures meeting neurology criteria - Respiratory complications meeting pulmonary criteria
Gaucher disease, type 2
Infantile Pompe
Krabbe disease
Leigh disease with MRI changes
Lesch-Nyhan syndrome
Maple syrup urine disease with a history of hyperleucemia event occurring after diagnosis
Metachromatic leukodystrophy, progressive
Mucopolysaccharidosis disorders (symptomatic) such as: - Hunter syndrome - Hurler syndrome - Sanfilippo synrome
Niemann-Pick disease
Peroxisomal disorder
Pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency with progression of disease
Skeletal dysplasias or dysostosis with progressive pulmonary complications requiring additional supportive measures (i.e., BiPAP/CPAP or chronic ventilator dependence)
Sphingolipidosis with symptoms in the pediatric period: - GM1 gangliosidosis - Tay-Sachs
Trisomy 13
Trisomy 18
Urea cycle (CPS, OTC, citrullinemia) and organic acidemia disorders (methylmalonic and propionic) with a history of hyperammonemic event occurring after diagnosis
X-linked adrenal leukodystrophy with adrenal or brain findings
Genetics
Short-term TPN
G-Tube and/or J-Tube dependence
Inflammatory bowel diseases that respond well to standard medication
Chronic conditions that do not lead to a limitation of life expectancy
PDF
Hematology
Bone marrow (BMT) or stem cell transplant (SCT) - If BMT/SCT occurred under 2.5 years old, the child must have ongoing life-threatening complications - If BMT/SCT occurred at 2.5 years or older, the child must be either within 5 years of transplant or having ongoing life-threatening complications
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis
Severe aplastic anemia
Severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID) - With active disease or - For children who received BMT/SCT, meeting criteria listed for BMT/SCT
Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome - With active disease or - For children who received BMT/SCT, meeting criteria listed for BMT/SCT
Severe congenital or acquired bleeding/blood cell disorders with at least one of the following: - Hemorrhage in vital organs resulting in significant morbidity (e.g., intracranial hemorrhage with neurodeficits, organ injury requiring intensive supportive care, etc.) - Serious complications resulting from transfusion therapy (e.g., iron overload with end-organ damage) - Severe hemophilia with poor response to therapy, resulting in repeated life-threatening bleeding episodes in the past 12 months
Sickle cell disease or beta thalassemia with at least one of the following severe or chronic complications: - End-organ damage requiring additional supportive measures - History of acute chest syndrome requiring unplanned hospital admission - History of splenic sequestration/splenectomy - History of stroke or severe cerebrovascular disease - Necessary, regular transfusions/transfusion dependent disease - Pulmonary hypertension - Repeated severe pain crises requiring unplanned hospital admission or ambulatory management
PDF
Auto-inflammatory conditions that respond well to standard medications
Chronic conditions that do not lead to a limitation of life expectancy
Bone marrow (BMT) and stem cell transplant (SCT) - If BMT/SCT occurred under 2.5 years old, the child must have ongoing life-threatening complications - If BMT/SCT occurred at 2.5 years or older, the child must be either within 5 years of transplant or having ongoing life-threatening complications
Bruton’s agammaglobulinemia
Chronic granulomatous disease
Primary immunodeficiencies with one of the following: - Requiring lifelong treatment with a significantly shortened life expectancy (within the childhood period) - Resulting in frequent unplanned hospitalizations where infection is not well controlled - With severe autoimmune complications
Severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID) - With active disease or - For children who received a BMT/SCT, meeting criteria listed for BMT/SCT
Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome - With active disease or - For children who received a BMT/SCT, meeting criteria listed for BMT/SCT
Immunology & Infectious Disease
PDF
Metabolic disorders that are not progressive and do not limit life expectancy
Type 1 & 2 Diabetes
Chronic conditions that do not lead to a limitation of life expectancy
Alexander disease (symptomatic)
Barth syndrome
Gaucher disease – type 2
Infantile Pompe
Krabbe disease
Lesch-Nyhan syndrome
Maple syrup urine disease with a history of hyperleucemia event occurring after diagnosis
Metachromatic leukodystrophy, progressive
Mucopolysaccharidosis disorders (symptomatic) such as: - Hunter syndrome - Hurler syndrome - Sanfilippo syndrome
Niemann-Pick disease
Peroxisomal disorder
Pyruvate dehydrogenase with disease progression
Sphingolipidosis with symptoms in the pediatric period: - GM1 gangliosidosis - Tay-Sachs
Urea cycle (CPS, OTC, citrullinemia) and organic acidemia disorders (methylmalonic and propionic) with a history of a hyperammonemic event occurring after diagnosis
Metabolic
PDF
Nephrology
Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome treated with chronic anticomplement therapy in order to remain in remission
Chronic kidney disease (stage 3 or greater) with multiple acute illnesses/exacerbations in the last year requiring hospitalization
Dialysis-dependent renal disease
History of kidney transplant or actively listed for kidney transplant
PDF
Cerebral Palsy (without complications that meet other criteria)
Autism
Mental health conditions
Global developmental delay
Absence/focal/myoclonic seizures
ADD/ADHD
Spina Bifida
Chronic conditions that do not lead to a limitation of life expectancy
Neurology
Alpers disease
Batten disease
Congenital neuromuscular disease with progressive loss of motor function in children who are symptomatic and currently experiencing respiratory or cardiac complications (e.g., myotonic muscular dystrophy)
Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Epilepsy/Lennox-Gastaut/uncontrolled motor seizures that are currently defined by the provider as: - Tonic, atonic, or tonic-clonic and - With a failure of two or more anti-seizure medications and - With continued, repeated breakthrough tonic, atonic or tonic-clonic seizures requiring rescue medication(s) and/or unplanned admission (e.g., approximately one event per month)
Huntington’s disease, symptomatic
Leigh syndrome with MRI changes
Leukodystrophy, progressive
Moyamoya disease
Neurodegenerative disease with MRI findings of progression and qualifying respiratory or cardiac complications
Neuronal brain iron accumulation (NBIA)
Progressive cerebrovascular disease (e.g., stroke) with ongoing life-threatening complications
Rett syndrome
Riley-Day
Spinal muscular atrophy, types 1 and 2
Tuberous sclerosis involving the brain and/or spinal cord
Conditions that are treated with surgery alone and require no additional interventions/therapies
Oncology patients whose completion of chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment is more than 12 months ago
Oncology
Bone marrow (BMT) and stem cell transplant (SCT): - If BMT/SCT occurred under 2.5 years old, the child must have ongoing life-threatening complications - If BMT/SCT occurred at 2.5 years or older, the child must be either within 5 years of transplant or having ongoing life-threatening complications
Blood cancers that include one of the following: - Required and referred within 12 months of completion of chemotherapy treatment and/or radiation treatment or - Including ongoing life-threatening complications
Malignant neoplasm, or neoplasm of unspecified/uncertain behavior that either - Required and referred within 12 months of completion of chemotherapy treatment and/or radiation treatment or - Including ongoing life-threatening complications
Recurrent malignant disease
Low-grade tumors with any of the following criteria: - Associated with extensive complications qualifying under other systems - Requiring chemotherapy treatment or radiation treatment and referred within 12 months of completion of such treatment - Requiring more than one major surgery, such as craniotomy - Significant endocrine deficit - Significant functional impairment (such as paralysis or other major neurologic impairment)
Acute Respiratory Failure
Asthma
Tracheostomy without positive-pressure ventilation
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Chronic diseases that do not lead to a limitation of life expectancy
Childhood interstitial lung disease from surfactant protein deficiencies with clinical respiratory manifestations
Chronic respiratory failure requiring ventilator support – CPAP/BiPAP (excluding OSA)
Chronic ventilator dependence
Cystic fibrosis (pulmonary) with at least one of the following severe or chronic complications: - Advanced lung disease and/or oxygen dependence - Not eligible for or intolerant to modulator therapy - Nutritional failure despite treatment - Repeated exacerbations in the past 12 months - Repeated unplanned hospitalizations in the past 12 months - Significant CF-related liver disease - Significant, recurrent infections
Duchenne muscular dystrophy
History of lung transplant, or actively listed for lung transplant
Moderate to severe lung disease secondary to chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment
Other muscular dystrophies with progressive loss of motor function in children who are symptomatic and currently experiencing respiratory or cardiac complications (e.g., myotonic muscular dystrophy)
Progressive interstitial lung disease associated with immunodeficiency, autoimmune disease, or immune dysregulation
Spinal muscular atrophy, types 1 and 2
Pulmonary fibrosis
Pulmonary hypertension, active on treatment
Pulmonary lymphangiectasia
Tracheostomy placement for one of the following reasons: - For long-term mechanical ventilation without expectation of discontinuation or - Respiratory failure requiring ventilator support with CPAP/BiPAP (excluding OSA)
Pulmonology
Auto-inflammatory conditions that respond well to standard medication
Chronic conditions that do not lead to a limitation of life expectancy
Rhematology
Refer a Child
Please review our Referral Guidance Sheets (see above), which describe medical conditions that typically qualify for a wish. There are other conditions that may be eligible for a wish when the condition includes life-threatening comorbidities that are currently placing the child’s life in jeopardy. These conditions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Please include detailed information on these conditions when submitting the Diagnosis Verification Form.
Disclosure of Information
We will only share your data with authorized third parties, such as a Make-A-Wish medical advisor, as required by law or for the purposes of facilitating your wish.
We reserve the right to change the language in this Medical Data Protection Statement at any time at our sole discretion and without notice to you. All changes are effective immediately and your continued use of this site following the changes will mean you accept those changes.
If you have questions about this statement or have concerns about your data, please contact: MAWFA@wish.org
The Purpose of the Data Collection
Make-A-Wish Foundation and its affiliate Chapter locations will collect personal and medical data for:
Evaluation: As part of our process to determine medical eligibility.
Resource Allocation: Identify any specialized needs resources to ensure a safe and successful wish is fulfilled.
Medical Information: For example, health care providers, medical records, test results, and diagnoses are needed to ensure that we are taking every precaution to protect the health and wellbeing of the wish kid.
We take seriously our obligation to maintain the security and privacy of all personally identifiable information shared. We use reasonable electronic, physical, and administrative measures to protect this data from loss, theft, alteration, or misuse. We are dedicated to protecting all information you provide to us in accordance with applicable state, federal and international law.
Meet our National Medical Advisory Council
Wish Medical Clearance & Travel Safety
Please note all travel wishes may not be deemed medically safe but we will always work with our wish kids and their families to find a wish that’s best for them locally should be this case.
At Make-A-Wish, the health and safety of our wish children and their families is our highest priority. We rely on the expertise of the pediatricians and pediatric specialists who are part of our National Medical Advisory Council and more than 200 chapter-specific medical advisors that help guide us with eligibility and wish safety precautions.
Useful Resources
Choosing Your Wish
If you could wish for anything, what would it be? Take a look at some of the wishes we're able to grant.
The Wish Journey
Find out more about the journey, from initial referral to the long-term impact of a wish.
How Wishes Help
A wish can have a long-lasting positive impact, not only on the child, but also on their family.
Resources
Wish Medical Safety
Refer a Child
Eligibility
Refer a Child Now
Learn More
Learn More
Learn More
Learn More
Dr. Doug Scothorn
Chairman
Dr. Tammuella Chrisentery-Singleton
Dr. Katelyn Jetelina
Dr. Jenifer
Jones-Dees
Dr. Amy
Kritzer
Dr. Greg
Sawicki
Dr. David
Sine
Dr. Stan
Whitsett
PDF
PDF
PDF
Type 1 & 2 Diabetes
Chronic conditions that do not lead to a limitation of life expectancy
Dr. Amer Al-Nimr
Dr. Dan Benscoter
Dr. Jeremy Edwards
Dr. Bradd Hemker
Dr. Mark Krieger
Dr. Jennifer Kwon
Dr. Ashwin Lal
Dr. Shruti Paranjape
Dr. Kara
Lewis
Dr. Denis Levy
Dr. Taizo Nakano
Dr. Caitlin Sgarlat Deluca
These conditions are eligible for a wish:
These conditions are NOT eligible for a wish, unless accompanied by complications that meet other criteria:
These conditions are eligible for a wish:
These conditions are NOT eligible for a wish, unless accompanied by complications that meet other criteria:
These conditions are eligible for a wish:
These conditions are NOT eligible for a wish, unless accompanied by complications that meet other criteria:
Genetic disorders that are not progressive and do not limit life expectancy
Chronic conditions that do not lead to a limitation of life expectancy
These conditions are NOT eligible for a wish, unless accompanied by complications that meet other criteria:
These conditions are eligible for a wish:
Bleeding disorders that respond well to standard medication
Bone marrow transplant under 2.5 years of age without ongoing life-threatening complications
Chronic conditions that do not lead to a limitation of life expectancy
These conditions are NOT eligible for a wish, unless accompanied by complications that meet other criteria:
These conditions are eligible for a wish:
These conditions are NOT eligible for a wish, unless accompanied by complications that meet other criteria:
These conditions are eligible for a wish:
These conditions are NOT eligible for a wish, unless accompanied by complications that meet other criteria:
These conditions are eligible for a wish:
These conditions are NOT eligible for a wish, unless accompanied by complications that meet other criteria:
These conditions are eligible for a wish:
These conditions are NOT eligible for a wish, unless accompanied by complications that meet other criteria:
These conditions are eligible for a wish:
These conditions are NOT eligible for a wish, unless accompanied by complications that meet other criteria:
These conditions are eligible for a wish:
These conditions are NOT eligible for a wish, unless accompanied by complications that meet other criteria:
These conditions are eligible for a wish:
Stage 1 and Stage 2 Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic conditions that do not lead to a limitation of life expectancy
Antiphospholipid syndrome with recurrent thrombosis/active disease (positive antibody titers alone do not qualify)
Chronic Infantile Neurological Cutaneous and Articular (CINCA) syndrome
Chronic vasculitis (one of the following types): - Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis - Granulomatosis - Microscopic polyangitis - Polyangiitis - Polyarteritis nodosa - Takayasu arteritis
Juvenile dermatomyositis with any end-organ involvement, calcinosis or otherwise recalcitrant (greater than 12 months of treatment or two or more relapses)
Mixed connective tissue disease with end-organ involvement
Neonatal onset multisystem inflammatory disease (NOMID)
Polychondritis resulting in end-organ damage
Progressive systemic sclerosis (systemic scleroderma)
Severe JRA/JIA with at least one of the following: - Multiple unplanned hospitalizations in the past 12 months - Referred within 12 months of MAS episode or having continuing MAS issues - Resistant to or have failed multiple medications/therapies, and/or out of options or started on therapies not yet approved for pediatrics - Significant complications related to immunosuppression/medication or significant end-organ involvement - Significant extra-articular manifestations despite treatment
Systemic lupus erythematosus with either: - Stage 3 or greater nephritis (confirmed by inflammatory changes on biopsy) or - Other severe end-organ complications