Thursday, November 21, 2013

Thursday Thirteen 310: Make-A-Wish



This week's T13 was inspired by the most uplifting news story ever -- especially during a week of such devastating storms both across the USA and around the world.


Last Friday, the city of San Francisco transformed itself into Gotham for the day, to grant the wish of a little boy with leukemia who wanted to be Batman.

5-year-old Miles "Batkid" Scott’s wish was made possible through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, with the help of thousands of San Franciscan citizens who turned out to support and donate their time and money.

Make-A-Wish was started in 1980, when a US Customs Agents told a co-worker with the Arizona Department of Public Safety about a friend’s young son who had leukemia and wanted to be a police officer "to catch bad guys." Through interdepartmental help, they make Chris’s dream come true, days before he passes. (Read more here)

Those involved realize they don’t want the good feeling to end there, and in November of 1980 the group receives its tax-exempt status as a non-profit organization. By the following spring the group has raised $2000 and can grant its first official wish, which is for another little boy with leukemia.

In spring of 1982, the television show NBC Magazine does a story about this small new charity that’s granting wishes to children fighting for their lives. Phone lines are then jammed with calls from people who want to be part of it.

The national Make-A-Wish Foundation is based in Phoenix, Arizona and was incorporated in May of 1983. There are now 61 chapters across the US and its territories.

Make-A-Wish International, also based in Phoenix, is the hub for wish-granting activities in 48 countries, outside of the United States, on five continents. Visit World Wish for more info.

About 27,000 children are diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition each year in the US.

Make-A-Wish granted 14,000 wishes last year, about one every 38 minutes. More than 226,000 children in the United States have benefited from having their heartfelt wishes granted since the foundation started.

Making a wish come true can change the outcome of a life-threatening disease, but also impacts all those involved. Just the act of making their wish come true can give the wish kid the courage to comply with their medical treatments, or make parents feel more optimistic, which in turn helps the child affected.

"According to the results of a 2011 Wish Impact Study that surveyed wish parents, health professionals, and volunteers, a wish come true empowers children with life-threatening medical conditions to fight harder against their illnesses." (Wish impact, Make-A-Wish website)

Make-A-Wish mission: We grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.

For a sixth year, Macy’s is teaming up with the Make-A-Wish for their Believe campaign. Starting in November, children can drop off their letters to Santa at any Macy’s department store. For each letter received through Dec. 24, Macy’s will donate $1 to Make-A-Wish, up to $1 million. "Yes, Virginia," presented by Macy’s, will air on CBS on National Believe Day, Friday, Dec. 6.



LINKING TO: Thursday Thirteen





Disclaimer: I am not associated in any way with Make-A-Wish or Macy's.




22 comments:

Jodi said...

I so loved this story out of San Fran! And your list was uplifting!

Heather said...

Thanks, Jodi! :)

Colleen@Looseleafnotes said...

This is so heartwarming. All I can think of is my little grandsons and who they might pick. Spiderman and the Gingerbread Man!

Heather said...

Colleen: It is rather heartwarming, isn't it? Here's hoping your grandsons never need anyone like the Make-A-Wish Foundation!

Alice Audrey said...

I like that free flowing gift giving spirit and the creativity they bring to the table.

Heather said...

Alice: Isn't it amazingly awesome? It's one thing to entice a celebrity into meeting with a sick child, but this -- this took time and planning and support from an entire community. Love that!

Jennifer Leeland said...

The Macys thing is SO AWESOME! I hope Make A Wish makes a ton of money this year to help.

Barbara said...

I heard about this story a couple of days ago. It's such a wonderful, heart-warming story!
Make-a-wish is such a wonderful foundation!

Thanks for visiting my blog.

Heather said...

Jennifer: I agree. I can't tell you the last time I visited our locl Macy's, but if I had a kid, I think I'd go out of my way to deliver a letter to Santa.

Heather said...

Barbara: They are indeed. It's nice to see them getting so much estra attention right now. We occasionally hear about local wishes being granted, but something that makes national and even international news? That's even better! :)

Anonymous said...

The Make a Wish Foundation granted my nephew's wish to visit Walt Disney World before he passed away, so the foundation is very important to me. I saw the news story about the "Batkid". Just awesome.

CountryDew said...

Great commentary. I loved that story about Batkid - it was indeed uplifting. Why can't we be such wonderful people all of the time?

Heather said...

Stephanie, that is SO cool. I'm glad they were there for your nephew!

Heather said...

Anita: Why can't we be such wonderful people all of the time?

A very good question!

Novroz said...

This a heartwarming T13. I wish we have such organization in my country

Heather said...

Hi Novroz! They truly are a great organization. Did you check the World Wish website to see if they are in your country? If not, hopefully they will have a chapter there soon!

Rekaya Gibson said...

I love the Make-a-Wish Foundation and I saw Batman all over my Facebook newsfeed, made me smile every time. What an awesome organization.

The Food Temptress

Sidne said...

OOOOOOOOOOOHHHHH so very NICE. I love this organization. I had the opportunity to assist them years ago. A little boy wanted to see a famous basketball player but no one understood who it was so they thought MJ since he was every little boy star at that time. well, i noticed he always was watching the golden state warriors and when the kids would make their MJ moves in the lounge areas he always did a crossover. Asking my husband he told me the player name whom my husband happened to have played ball with also. So it was an easy contact for the organization because they went through my hubby to get the player to visit the boy. wild, your story brought back a good memory.

Heather said...

Rekaya: Batkid was the best news story in a long time. I don't know how something like that couldn't make you smile. :)

Heather said...

Wow, talk about srendipitous! I'm glad this story and post reminded you of a good memory. ☺

Alice Audrey said...

But it's also the kind of idea a community can get behind. It's fun to do.

Heather said...

Yes, it is. I think the fact that it happened in such a large city as SF makes it even more amazing. It's the type of thing you'd expect of a small town community more than a big city.