What is the Make-A-Wish Foundation^®?
The Make-A-Wish Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) organization, grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. It is through the magic of a wish that the Foundation gives a family hope, strength and joy to briefly alleviate the stresses of a serious medical condition. The Make-A-Wish Foundation of America was founded in 1980 in Phoenix, Arizona. A small group of people helped a very ill little boy achieve his wish – to be a state trooper for a day. Since that time, the Foundation has grown into the largest and most professional wish granting organization in the world with 67 chapters in the United States. Founded in 1983, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, includes five regional offices in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Louisville, and Indianapolis, and two satellite offices in Lexington and Youngstown.

How does a wish come true?
The magical journey of a child’s most desired wish come true begins with the referral process. Referring a child to the Foundation is simple. Requests can be made by a parent, legal guardian, the wish child, or a medical professional. If the initial call comes from someone other than the people listed, we ask that the wish family be notified to call directly on their behalf.

Who can wish?
Any child over the age of 2 ½ and under the age of 18, diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition and has not received a wish from another wish granting organization qualifies for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. It is the child’s primary doctor who determines whether or not a child has a life-threatening medical condition. Once referred and qualified, a team of two Make-A-Wish volunteers visits the child to determine his or her heartfelt wish. Then, the Make-A-Wish Foundation will work with local businesses, volunteers, and generous hearts to help fulfill the child’s wish.

What do children wish for?
As each individual child is special and unique, so are their wishes. The majority of wishes fall into four categories:

I wish to go…I wish to be…I wish to meet…I wish to have…

With their imagination guiding the process, the Make-A-Wish Foundation strives to give every child the power to decide his or her own wish come true.

Where does the Make-A-Wish Foundation get funds?
Our Foundation is supported through local donations from individuals, corporations, small businesses, civic organizations and clubs, churches, schools, memorial contributions, foundations, as well as our own special events. The Make-A-Wish Foundation does NOT engage in door-to-door or telephone solicitation.

If I donate money to this chapter, does it stay local?
Absolutely! The average value of a wish is $6,000, however, any gift, large or small, will impact a family and create hope, strength and joy during a time when a family in your community needs it most. Currently almost 80% of each dollar goes directly toward fulfilling wishes.

For more information about the Make-A-Foundation or to get more involved in the Foundation, contact Executive Director Dan Borba at (513) 745-9474 or DanielB@makeawishohio.org