April 29th is World Wish Day and we are celebrating around the world!
Since 1980, Make-A-Wish has granted more than 550,000 wishes all over the world.
Make-A-Wish granted nearly 27,000 wishes globally last year.
A wish begins with hope. You can bring hope without limits to a child with a critical illness today.
Make-A-Wish Canada Celebrates 40 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. A wish 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 40 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.”
38,104
Together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.
Make-A-Wish® Canada grants more than 1,000 wishes annually. But we can’t do this important work without you.
Make-A-Wish Canada 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.
Where Are They Now
Wish granted, 1987 - I wish to go to Mexico to catch a blue butterfly
At just 6, David, a joyful and generous boy, was quickly torn from his carefree childhood following a medical diagnosis: he had brain cancer. His condition was critical, and the ...Read More
Wish granted, 2018 - I wish to have my own circus
Just 18 months old when she was diagnosed with leukemia, Aubrey’s medical journey was not easy. Her cancer was chemotherapy resistant, so she required more intensive chemotherapy and a bone ...Read More
Wish granted, 2000 - I wish to have a backyard playhouse
Twenty-three years ago, when she was just 3 years old, Emma was receiving treatment for stage 4 cancer in her kidneys. It was a scary and stressful time for Emma ...Read More
Wish granted, 2008 - I wish to go to New York City!
While Kayte’s been cancer free for over 15 years now, her medical journey wasn’t easy. In March 2007, Kayte was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at just 16 years old. She ...Read More