Record year for Make-A-Wish 48 HOUR RIDE with more than $3M raised
October, 2023
Montreal, Quebec – The 15th annual 48 HOUR RIDE in support of Make-A-Wish® Canada took place September 22-24, at Mirabel International Airport. The event smashed all expectations by raising over $3 million dollars and surpassing any previous number of teams and participants with more than 2,600 participants and over 460 teams. Participants rode non-stop for two days, all with the goal of putting smiles on children’s faces.
13-year-old wish kid François, the honorary event president, learned that his wish was going to come true.
On the Saturday, participants were able to attend an hour-long evening event that was full of emotion. Several children who have had their wishes come true with Make-A-Wish came on stage to tell their story.
The highlight of the evening: François–honorary president of this year’s ride–learned that he was going have his wish to become a paleontologist come true. Passionate about science and paleontology, his wish has now taken place in Alberta, where he had the opportunity for face-to-face encounters with incredible fossils at the Royal Tyrell Museum and at the Dinosaur Provincial Park in Drumheller, Alberta.
At just three years old, François was admitted to intensive care for three months following severe pneumonia. It was then that his family learned that he had an immune deficiency. Two years later, at age five, he underwent his very first operation: a bone marrow transplant. Today, François is in remission. Thanks to the incredible generosity and time committed by this year’s riders, event donors, partners and volunteers, many more wishes like François’ will come true!
For a selection of photos from the event, please download here.
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About Make-A-Wish Canada:
Make-A-Wish® creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. The organization’s mission is to make the dream of each eligible child come true, since the dream is an integral part of the child’s treatment. Research shows that children who receive wishes are much more likely to regain the physical and emotional strength necessary to fight a critical illness. Make-A-Wish International is the world’s largest wish-granting organization, operating in more than 50 countries. As an independent affiliate, Make-A-Wish Canada serves children in every community across the country. In 2023, Make-A-Wish Canada is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Since 1983, more than 38,000 dreams have been realized across the country, including more than 1,000 this last year alone.