MAKE-A-WISH CANADA CELEBRATES FORTY YEARS OF WISH GRANTING IN 2023

Since 1983, when the first chapter was established outside of the United States in Vancouver, BC, Make-A-Wish^® Canada has granted over 37,000 transformative wishes to kids coping with critical illness. Research shows that children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight their illness and often marks a turning point in their treatment.

“We are extremely proud to have transformed the lives of so many children and their families over the past forty years, but there’s much more work to be done”, said Meaghan Stovel McKnight, CEO, Make-A-Wish Canada. “A child is diagnosed with a critical illness every 20 minutes and the pandemic delayed thousands of wishes. We’re working to double the number of wishes that we grant this year to provide hope and joy to kids who need it most.”

BACKGROUND:

Make-A-Wish^® originated in Phoenix, Arizona in 1980.

The first wish granted in Canada was in 1983 for 13-year-old Debbie, who had leukemia. She wished to visit Germany to see her grandparents. Debbie was given a chance to enjoy a heart-warming and intimate experience with her family before she sadly passed away.

Make-A-Wish Canada has 13 Chapter offices across Canada and grants over 1,000 wishes annually.