Meet the “Wish Lady” Making an Impact
At Make-A-Wish® Canada, we see the power of support and resilience every day. We see it in the eyes of children facing critical illnesses when their wish is granted. We see it in the renewed strength of families who have a reason to smile again.
We also see it in our wish community’s dedication to making these life-changing moments happen.
One such source of inspiration is Donna Serr. To Make-A-Wish Canada, she is an incredible volunteer and a generous donor. But the families in her community of Medicine Hat, Alberta, simply know her as the “Wish Lady.”
Donna’s journey didn’t start as a volunteer. It began nearly 20 years ago when she stood in the shoes of the extraordinary families she now supports. She was a wish mom first.
From Wish Mom to Community Champion
After seeing how a wish changed her child’s life during their treatment journey, Donna realized that wishes are so much more than just special moments. They provide important support for families that last long after the wish is granted. For Donna, the mission became personal. She adopted a simple but profound slogan: “Children helping children.”
This philosophy stems from her deep understanding of empathy and the belief that teaching children the importance of helping others fosters a compassionate community. Donna doesn’t just talk about this value; she embodies it.
Since 2008, Donna has been the driving force behind the “Walk for Wishes” program in local schools. What started as an idea has blossomed into a staple community event. Thanks to her hard work, students in Medicine Hat gather pledges, walk in their neighbourhoods, and learn the important lesson of giving back.
Every year, six to eight schools take part in these walks, and Donna is there at every step. She organizes, supports, and leads by example. Over the past three years alone, the program has raised over $91,000, with even more community walks already in progress.
The Impact of Long-Term Donor Support
Donna’s commitment to helping children with critical illnesses goes beyond heartfelt involvement — every walk, every dollar raised, helps us grant wishes for these children when they need it most. In her 20 years of work, she has directly and indirectly helped raise over $900,000 for wish-granting.
Recognized for a Heart of Gold
Donna has received numerous accolades for her dedication and impact. In 2023, she was honoured with the Heart of Medicine Hat Award for her significant contributions to the city’s quality of life, particularly through her work with Make-A-Wish Canada. She also received the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers in 2017 from the Governor General of Canada and was named Make-A-Wish Canada’s 2024 Volunteer of the Year for the Western region. In recognition of her long-standing commitment to community service, Donna was also awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal in 2024.
We are endlessly grateful to have Donna in our community. She is a wish mom, a supporter, and an incredibly dedicated volunteer who has played an active role in helping us grant countless wishes. Her story is a shining example of how one person’s gratitude can blossom into a legacy of giving.
