How Does Make-A-Wish Foundation Help Kids With Cancer?

It is found that about 300.000 kids are diagnosed with cancer every year. These children will have one or the other wish, which has to be fulfilled to give them hope in their life. The Make-A-Wish Foundation has conducted Childhood Cancer Awareness Month to extend its support to children suffering from cancer.

The foundation grants wishes to children fighting cancer as well as recovering from it. Many studies have proven that granting a wish increases the strength and confidence of a child with a disease. It gives a lot of hope and joy to the children.

Most children who deal with critical diseases cannot enjoy a normal childhood like other children. Along with children, their family as well as their dear ones also need joy, strength, and hope. While granting a wish of the child, it creates a long-lasting memory in them. For a day, both children and their families forget all their worries.

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

As mentioned above, thousands of kids get diagnosed with different forms of cancer each year. Even after the advancements in modern medical technologies, cancer continues to be a life-threatening illness. The reasons that cause cancer in children under 15 are still unknown. Although there are some improvements in cancer treatments, affected children and their families have an impact on their life.

The childhood cancer awareness month from the Make-A-Wish Foundation gives more importance to all such children along with families. There is no doubt that it is a heart-wrenching disease and therefore, the foundation tries to support the children and their dear ones, providing them hope and strength in their journey.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation conducts Cancer Awareness Month in September. It is considered to be an international awareness month every year completely dedicated to raising money, support, and awareness of childhood cancer and the ways it affects children and their close ones.

The occasion will be commemorated by wearing a gold ribbon. It is an international symbol to denote childhood cancer. It is used to raise awareness for children who suffer from the disease and those who are on the path of recovering from it. In September, people wear a gold ribbon and some buildings will also be covered in golden color to raise awareness.

Every year, September is considered to be Childhood Cancer Awareness Month to provide more courage and strength to children dealing with it. However, the foundation needs support from people to make this happen. During the toughest days of the life of a child and his/her family, the foundation tries to fulfill the wish of the child to provide them with a day of hope. Financial support is very important to execute this. Therefore, the foundation tries its best to get funds and donations from people all over the world. It will help the organization to grant the wishes of more people. Many celebrities and organizations also come forward to extend their support to help the foundation. You may also contribute to this initiative.

What Are The Activities Of The Make-A-Wish Foundation?

Many children around us are suffering from life-threatening or life-limiting health conditions. From the day they are diagnosed with such an illness, they and their families are deprived of happiness and will be filled with disappointments, isolation, financial worries, medical appointments, and helplessness. Make-A-Wish Foundation tries to put aside all these problems for a day by fulfilling the wish of the child. It creates strength, happiness, hope, and memories in the child and his family.

The Impact of Make-A-Wish

The foundation has a research team to help the members of the organization, as well as the people about the impact granting a wish, will have on the patient. It helps the organization to give its best to lift the spirits of the child and his loved ones.

Granting a wish helps a child to believe that nothing is impossible. These kids miss their childhood amidst their treatments and despair. When they are granted their wish, they get back some part of their childhood. They miss a lot of their childhood including their school days and family activities. Some of the positive effects of granting a wish are

  • A wish widens hope and can be soothing during the toughest times. It also provides a distraction from worries and improves the bonding, well-being, and social engagement of the child’s family.
  • Getting a wish fulfilled is not just a moment in the life of the child, it fills the rest of his life with positivity and hope. The child and his family get new confidence, resilience, and motivation through this.
  • Granting a wish enhances the lives of the child’s parents as well as siblings.

What does the foundation do?

Make-A-Wish Foundation tries to create magical memories, happiness, and joy for children suffering from critical diseases. The wishes can be anything like starring in a film, meeting a celebrity, feeding elephants, going to a tourist location, etc. It may change the life or personal lives of the child.

The foundation goes to grant the most amazing wishes of children when they wish for it the most. They believe that a child’s life must not be restricted to hospital beds and medicines alone even if they are battling their hardest days. These kids deserve more. They deserve happiness, joy, and good memories.

Make-A-Wish has made possible many wishes of children and has seen how the wish ignites a ray of hope and happiness in the kid and his family. Every mission motivates the organization to do more. However, they require the help of generous people and organizations to make this happen. Many people, including celebrities, extend their support to the foundation to make the wish successful.

The child and his treatment will be given prior concern while granting the wish. The time to make it happen will be finalized only after discussing it with the medical practitioner taking care of the kid and his family. They make sure that the child does not suffer any kind of problems when fulfilling their wish.

Learn More About Make-A-Wish Foundation

The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a United States-based non-profit organization that aims to fulfill the wishes of kids with critical diseases. The age of such children must be between 2 ½ and 18 years. The organization was founded in 1980 and its headquarters is situated in Phoenix. Make-A-Wish Foundation has 59 chapters situated in different parts of the United States. It has 39 international affiliates and works in about 50 countries.

In 1980, Christopher James Greicius, a 7-year-old boy, was taking his treatment for leukemia. He wished to become a police officer. Tommy Austin, an U.S. Customs Officer, connected with some officers in the Public Safety of the Arizona Department to create a surprise for Greicius. Little Chris could spend a full day as a strict police officer. He could ride in a police helicopter, get a police uniform prepared for him, and also be sworn in as the first honorary patrolman in Public Safety in the history of the state. Even though Greicius did not live long after that, he was the inspiration behind the Make-A-Wish organization.

How does the process take place?

A child who wants to fulfill his/her wish must be referred by any of the below sources.

  • Parents or legal guardians of the child
  • A medical professional who treats the child, mostly a provider, child-life specialist, social worker, or nurse.
  • A member of the family of the kid who has the complete details of the condition and treatment of the kid.
  • The kid himself/herself.

There is an online form of the Make-A-Wish organization for the sources to connect with the organization or they can visit the closest chapter of the organization near them. The medical information of the kid will be kept confidential unless it is required to grant the wish and it will be with the consent of the parents or guardians of the child.

After getting the referral of the child, the staff of the Make-A-Wish organization will work with the healthcare team of the child to ensure the medical eligibility of the child to fulfill his/her wish based on the Make-A-Wish medical criteria. Furthermore, the child must not have received any other wish from other organizations for wish-granting.

There are some guidelines and policies for every Make-A-Wish chapter to grant the wish of a child. The team also works closely with the family and physician of the child to fix the best time to fulfill the wish of the child. The treatment protocols along with other concerns are taken into consideration while determining a time so that no treatment gets affected. The common wish requests will be mostly in five divisions – I wish to give, I wish to have, I wish to meet, I wish to be, and I wish to go.

John Cena, the professional wrestler, holds the title for granting the most wishes by a single individual with more than 650 wishes. The Make-A-Wish kids are honored as the Disney Wish godchildren by Disney Cruise Line on June 24, 2022.

Exploring The Top 20 Wishes People Make: Unveiling Dreams and Aspirations

Introduction:

Wishes have always been an integral part of human nature, reflecting our desires, dreams, and aspirations. From childhood to adulthood, we continue to make wishes, hoping for their fulfilment. In this article, we will delve into the top 20 wishes people make, offering a glimpse into the collective hopes and dreams of humanity.

Health and Longevity:

Many wishes mostly carry the desire for good health and longevity. People often wish for physical and mental well-being, living free from ailments that enable them to lead fulfilling lives.

Love and Companionship:

The wish for love and companionship is a fundamental desire shared by many. People often express their wish to find a soulmate, build strong relationships, and experience the joy of genuine connection.

Success and Recognition:

Achievement and recognition in personal and professional domains often feature among the top wishes. People aspire to excel in their careers, realize their talents, and gain acknowledgement for their efforts.

Financial Stability:

Financial stability and abundant money are commonly sought-after wishes. People dream of having enough resources to meet their needs, support their families, and fulfil their dreams without any worries.

World Peace:

In an increasingly tumultuous world, the wish for peace resonates strongly. People yearn for an end to conflicts, violence, and sufferings and aspire to create a harmonious global society.

Education and Knowledge:

The thirst for knowledge and education is a recurring wish. Many people desire to have quality education, both formal and informal, to enhance their understanding of the world and broaden their horizons.

Personal Growth and Development:

Wishes for personal growth and self-improvement are common. Individuals strive to develop their skills, overcome limitations, and evolve into the best versions of themselves.

Happiness and Contentment:

The quest for happiness and contentment is the essence of human existence. People often wish for inner peace, a positive mindset, and the ability to find joy in the simplest moments.

Family Harmony:

The wish for family harmony and strong relationships with loved ones is prevalent. People aspire to create nurturing environments, foster love and understanding, and build lasting bonds.

Travel and Exploration:

The desire to travel and explore new horizons is a popular wish. People dream of visiting exotic destinations, immersing themselves in different cultures, and broadening their perspectives.

Environmental Sustainability:

With growing awareness of environmental issues, the wish for a sustainable planet is increasingly prominent. People express their desire for clean air, water, and a thriving ecosystem for future generations.

Philanthropy and Giving Back:

Many individuals aspire to make a positive impact on society and help those in need. The wish to engage in philanthropy, support charitable causes, and contribute to the welfare of others is often expressed.

Personal Fulfilment:

The wish for personal fulfilment is deeply rooted in human nature. People yearn to discover and pursue their passions, find purpose in their lives, and experience a sense of fulfilment.

Reconciliation and Forgiveness:

Healing broken relationships and fostering forgiveness is a common wish. People desire reconciliation with estranged family members, friends, or even themselves, seeking emotional closure and growth.

Career Advancement:

Career-related wishes are prevalent in a world where professional success holds great importance. People aspire to climb the corporate ladder, secure fulfilling jobs, and make significant contributions in their fields.

Adventure and Thrill:

The wish for adventure and excitement adds zest to life. People often dream of experiencing thrilling activities, such as skydiving, bungee jumping, or exploring uncharted territories.

Equality and Justice:

The wish for equality and justice resonates strongly in societies striving for fairness. People yearn for a world where everyone is treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their background or identity.

Artistic Expression:

The wish for artistic expression and creativity is a common aspiration. People seek opportunities to express themselves through various forms of art, be it painting, writing, music, or dance.

Strong Friendships:

Meaningful friendships contribute to our well-being and happiness. Many people wish for strong, supportive friendships, where they can share life’s joys and challenges with like-minded individuals.

Inner Peace and Spiritual Awakening:

The quest for inner peace and spiritual enlightenment is a deep-rooted wish. People aspire to connect with their spiritual selves, find meaning beyond material pursuits, and attain a sense of transcendence.

Conclusion:

Wishes reflect the essence of our desires and aspirations, transcending cultural, geographic, and individual differences. From health and love to success and world peace, the top 20 wishes people make encompass a broad spectrum of dreams and hopes. As we navigate life’s journey, it is essential to recognize and cherish these wishes and strive to fulfil them while contributing to the collective well-being of humanity.