There are five steps to granting a wish. Each step builds on the next to help create the amazing experiences that delight kids and their families.  A wish experience is frequently a source of inspiration for children undergoing difficult medical treatments and a positive force that helps them overcome their obstacles.  A wish expericene is often more than a dream come true...it's the catalyst that rekindles their belief in themselves and the promise of their future.

Step One: Referral
We rely on medical professionals, parents and children themselves for referrals. Children who have reached the age of 2½ and are under the age of 18 at the time of referral who have not received a wish from another wish-granting organization may be eligible for a wish.

If the intial referral comes from someone other than those listed above, we always ask that the family be notified to refer directly on their own behalf. We never make the initial contact to families a this sensitive time of coping with a life-threatening illness.

Step Two: Eligibility
We determine a child’s medical eligibility with the help of the treating physician. To receive a wish, the child must be diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition – i.e., a progressive, degenerative or malignant condition that has placed the child’s life in jeopardy.

Step Three: Finding the True Wish
We send one of our enthusiastic wish teams to learn the child’s one true wish. These passionate volunteers connect with wish children and help explore their imaginations for the experience that will delight and inspire them.

Usually, wishes are limited only by a child’s imagination. Most wishes fall into four main categories:

Wish To Go - This is our most popular wish. Examples include wishes to go to Disney World, Hawaii or cruises.

Wish To Be - Examples of this type include wishes to be a policeman, ballerina, doctor or other occupation that the child finds fascinating.

Wish To Meet - Examples of this type include wishes to meet a professional athlete, musician, actor or other popular celebrity. Sometimes this type of wish also includes meeting relatives that the child has never met before!

Wish To Have - Examples of this type include wishes to have a computer, a party, playset or a shopping spree.

Step Four: Approval
After the child tells us what their wish is, the request goes through an internal approval process and the wish is verified with the child’s physician to make sure it is medically appropriate.

Step Five: Creating Joy
Our wish granters create an unforgettable experience driven by the child’s creativity. It’s an incredible experience that enriches not just the lives of the children and their families, but often an entire community.

Click here to make an initial wish referral inquiry.

Click here for more information about the wish process.