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Since its establishment in 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, headquartered in Phoenix, has become a beacon of hope for children battling severe illnesses. Children under 18 can request a unique experience, such as a trip, a meeting with a celebrity, or another special event. Thanks to fundraising and the kindness of volunteers, nearly every wish is fulfilled, with one wish granted approximately every 35 minutes.
Here are 11 fascinating facts that highlight how donors and volunteers bring joy to children facing health challenges.
1. THE VERY FIRST RECIPIENT OF MAKE-A-WISH RECEIVED THREE WISHES.
Make-A-Wish was founded in the spring of 1980 after Arizona Department of Public Safety officers discovered that 7-year-old leukemia patient Chris Greicius dreamed of becoming a police officer. Inspired by the joy Greicius felt while wearing a uniform and going on patrol, officer Frank Shankwitz and his colleagues established the Make-A-Wish Foundation to help children like him.
In 1981, Poncho “Bopsy” Salazar became the first child to have his wish fulfilled by the Foundation. Also a 7-year-old leukemia patient, Salazar was treated to a fire truck ride, a trip to Disneyland, and a hot air balloon adventure. The widespread media coverage of his story spurred the creation of numerous chapters across the nation.
2. HUNTING REQUESTS ARE OFF THE TABLE.
While Make-A-Wish strives to fulfill the dreams of children with critical illnesses, they have a strict policy against granting hunting-related wishes. Since 2000, the organization has banned the use of funds or volunteers for hunting trips, citing safety issues and opposition from animal rights groups. This decision followed criticism in 1996 when the Foundation helped a teenager hunt a Kodiak bear in Alaska. Additionally, wishes involving firearms are strictly prohibited.
3. DISNEY IS INVOLVED IN HALF OF ALL WISHES.
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Children’s wishes come in many forms, but Disney consistently dominates their dreams. Make-A-Wish reports that Disney’s theme parks, characters, and other attractions account for nearly half of all wishes granted. By 2015, this translated to over 100,000 Disney-themed wishes being fulfilled.
4. A CHILD DREAMED OF APPEARING IN A GODZILLA FILM.
In 2014, a 5-year-old boy named Maddex captured the attention of Make-A-Wish’s Chicago chapter with his desire to demolish the city. To make his dream come true, a film crew created a short movie where Maddex, dressed as “Madzilla,” wreaked havoc on a miniature cityscape. The production, lasting five minutes, was valued at around $1 million, including donated resources and time.
5. MAKE-A-WISH SENDS CHILDREN TO THE SUPER BOWL ANNUALLY.
Securing Super Bowl tickets is notoriously difficult, but thanks to Make-A-Wish’s partnership with the NFL, many wish recipients enjoy VIP access to the event. Since 1982, the two organizations have worked together annually to ensure at least one child attends the game. For instance, 13 kids were present at Super Bowl 50 in San Francisco last year.
6. SOME CHILDREN CHOOSE TO GIVE THEIR WISHES TO OTHERS.
When 12-year-old Lucas Hobbs became eligible for a wish after being diagnosed with stage-3 Hodgkin’s lymphoma, he decided to give back to the Minnesota hospital that cared for him during chemotherapy. He arranged for a food truck to park outside the facility, offering patients a break from typical hospital meals. He even named a hot dog after his oncologist, Dr. Joanna Perkins, dubbing it the “Perkins dog.”
7. ONE CHILD’S WISH SPIRALED INTO A GLOBAL PHENOMENON.
In 1989, 7-year-old Craig Shergold asked Atlanta’s Wish Foundation International to help him break the Guinness World Record for receiving the most get-well cards. Within a year, he received over 16 million cards, and the influx didn’t stop. Chain letters encouraged people to send cards, overwhelming Shergold and the Foundation. Make-A-Wish eventually set up a hotline to clarify they weren’t involved, as the total surpassed 100 million cards. By 1999, a healthy Shergold requested people to stop sending cards. Today, the Foundation directs any mail for Shergold to a recycling center and maintains a page advising against sending further correspondence.
8. YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SPECIFIC WISHES.
For years, Make-A-Wish accepted general donations without linking them to specific wishes, leaving donors unaware of how their contributions were used. In 2016, the Foundation launched Wishmaker, an online platform where donors can read personal stories of wish recipients and contribute directly to their goals. This initiative aims to address rising wish costs, which now average $10,130, a 30 percent increase since 2010.
9. JOHN CENA HOLDS A RECORD WITH MAKE-A-WISH.
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Professional wrestler John Cena has made history with Make-A-Wish, granting his 500th wish in 2015, the most by any celebrity in the Foundation’s history. (Justin Bieber follows with over 250 wishes granted to meet him.)
10. MACY’S CONTRIBUTIONS EXCEED $100 MILLION.
Make-A-Wish depends on the kindness of donors to fulfill wishes. Macy’s has been a standout contributor, donating over $100 million since 2003. Their generosity has directly benefited more than 13,000 children.
11. THERE’S ONE MORE THING THEY CAN’T ALLOW.
While Make-A-Wish is open to almost any dream a child can imagine, they have one firm rule beyond their no-hunting and no-firearms policy: You cannot wish for endless wishes.
To learn more about Make-A-Wish or to volunteer your time and support, visit Make-A-Wish.com.
