Tens of thousands of volunteers, donors and supporters advance the Make-A-Wish® vision to grant the wish of every child diagnosed with a critical illness. In the U.S. and its territories, a wish is granted every 33 minutes. A wish can be that spark that helps these children believe that anything is possible and gives them the strength to fight harder against their illnesses. This one belief guides us and inspires us to grant wishes that change the lives of the kids we serve.
For children diagnosed with critical illnesses, a wish come true can be a crucial turning point in their lives. A wish can be that spark that helps these children believe that anything is possible and gives them the strength to fight harder against their illnesses. This impact is why we are driven to make every one of these wishes come true.
Make-A-Wish traces its inspiration to Christopher James Greicius, an energetic 7-year-old boy battling leukemia who wished to be a police officer. In 1980, his Phoenix community came together to make his wish come true. Little did Chris know that his wish would create a movement that would transform millions of lives.
Today, Make-A-Wish has granted hundreds of thousands of life-changing wishes to children battling critical illnesses. Wishes give families hope through dark times, strength to persevere and experiences that forever change their lives.
Thank you to his mother, Linda Pauling, the Greicius family and the founders for their tireless dedication to our mission.
He was only seven years, 269 days old when he died. But he taught me about being a man, even though he was only a boy. And because of meeting him, I'm an entirely different man.
Frank 'Bopsy' Salazar was the first official Make-A-Wish kid. He was 7 and had leukemia, just like Chris. The Phoenix Fire Department gave Bopsy an experience like Chris'; he became a member of the Engine 9 crew. Since the first wish was also the first Disney wish, the Anaheim Fire Department picked up the baton, taking Bopsy and his family around Southern California.
For over 40 years, Make-A-Wish has been granting life-changing wishes for children and families.
1980: Chris Greicius' wish to be a police officer is granted. His wish inspires the creation of Make-A-Wish.
1981: Make-A-Wish grants its first official wish to Frank 'Bopsy' Salazar. An NBC Magazine story about Make-A-Wish leads to the formation of chapters in the U.S.
1983: Make-A-Wish Foundation of America is incorporated. President Ronald Reagan grants the first presidential wish to Amy.
1985: The 'Stephanie in the Snow' video inspires the establishment of more chapters.
1988: A Reader's Digest article, 'They Bring Joy to Sick Kids,' generates international awareness of Make-A-Wish.
1990: Make-A-Wish celebrates its 10th birthday and 10,000 wishes granted. President George H.W. Bush presents the Citation for Volunteer Action Award.
1993: Make-A-Wish International is formed to serve countries outside the U.S.
1996: The Make-A-Wish website, wish.org, goes live.
2000: Make-A-Wish serves every U.S. community. The Wishbone logo is replaced with a swirl and star logo. More than 75,000 wishes have been granted.
2004: Make-A-Wish is selected as one of 'America's Greatest Brands.'
2010: The first World Wish Day is celebrated around the world. More than 198,000 wishes have been granted.
2011: Make-A-Wish commissions the Wish Impact Study to assess the physical and emotional impact of wishes.
2018: Make-A-Wish unveils a refreshed brand and establishes a permanent headquarters.
2020: Make-A-Wish celebrates the 40th anniversary of its first wish.
We turn wishes into hope, strength, and joy.
Make-A-Wish KSA is a Saudi charitable foundation dedicated to granting life-changing wishes to children suffering from chronic and life-threatening illnesses.
We believe that a wish is not a luxury.
For a child facing serious illness, a wish is hope, strength, and emotional healing+�u���T at a time when they need it most.
Inspired by the saying:+�u���The most beloved deeds to Allah are those that bring joy to others.��y��y�
We work to bring light into the lives of children and their families, helping them face their medical journeys with renewed courage and positivity.
After Make-A-Wish America was established, interest in granting the wishes of children with critical illnesses quickly spread to other nations.
In 1993, Make-A-Wish International was officially formed to serve the five countries outside the United States that were already granting wishes. Today, it has 40 affiliates serving children in 50 countries on six continents.
Make-A-Wish International shares the Make-A-Wish America mission: to grant the wishes of children with critical illnesses.
Make-A-Wish America grants wishes to children in the United States and its territories and possessions. Make-A-Wish International serves children elsewhere.
With generous donors and more than 27,000 volunteers worldwide, Make-A-Wish has granted more than 585,000 wishes, making it the world's largest wish-granting organization. For more information about Make-A-Wish International, please visit worldwish.org.
