Did You Know...
that the Make-A-Wish Foundation is the largest wish granting organization in the world with a formal presence in more than 30 countries on 5 continents.
Join Our E-Family!
We are always looking for better and more cost effective ways to communicate with our Make-A-Wish Family. Join our "E-Family" and you can receive newsletters, event invitations, updates and lots of other great Make-A-Wish information via e-mail.
Upcoming Events
volunteering
How a Wish Begins…
Every Make-A-Wish wish begins with the same question… If you could go anywhere, meet anyone, be anything, or have anything you most wanted… what would you wish for?
The Wish Process
1. A child is referred to us. Referring a child is easy: Click here to make a referral online. You can also refer a child by calling us at (858) 707-9474.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation accepts wish referrals from one of several potential referral sources:
- The Child
- The Child’s parent(s) or legal guardian(s)
- A medical professional treating a child, such as a doctor, nurse, social worker or child-life specialist
- If the initial call comes from someone other than those listed above, we always ask that the family be notified to call on their own behalf.
2. We contact the child’s doctor to confirm that the child has a life-threatening medical condition and meets the medical criteria for a wish. The doctor also helps us decide if the child’s wish is safe and appropriate for the child’s medical condition.
Who is Eligible?
Any child between the ages of 2 1/2 and 18 who is diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition & has not already been granted a wish experience from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, or any other wish-granting organization. (Referral must be made before the child’s 18th birthday).
3. Once we receive a signed medical authorization form from the doctor, a volunteer wish team is assigned to the child. Teams are made up of two volunteers who have completed our wish granting training.
4. The wish granting team arranges a visit to the family. During this visit, the wish team’s primary responsibility is to help the child identify his or her heartfelt wish. Sometimes they use markers, crayons and paper to help the child draw their wish. Sometimes it takes a couple of visits before the child picks a wish. When the possibilities are nearly endless, sometimes kids have trouble making up their minds.
5. Once the wish is determined and approved, the magic begins. Airlines are called, limos are booked, purchases are made and parties are planned. The wish team stays in touch with the family as they plan the wish. With the help of donors, local retailers and vendors, the wish team dreams up surprises and seeks in-kind donations. No detail is too small. But for the wish child, the details don’t matter. We make sure they see only the magic.
6. The wish date arrives. Its time for fun, magic and unforgettable memories.