Tens of thousands of volunteers, donors and supporters advance the Make-A-Wish® vision to grant the wish of every child diagnosed with a critical illness. In the U.S. and its territories, a wish is granted every 34 minutes.

Make-A-Wish® is the legacy of Chris Greicius, a 7-year-old boy from Phoenix, Arizona. Diagnosed with leukemia, Chris dreamed of being a police officer. His mother, Linda Pauling, knew leukemia would take his life, so she and a small group worked together to see if they could turn Chris' dream into a reality.

The First Wish Kid Frank "Bopsy" Salazar is the first official Make-A-Wish kid. He's 7 and has leukemia - just like Chris. So, the Phoenix Fire Department gives Bopsy an experience like Chris'; he becomes a member of the Engine 9 crew.

11 Things You Might Not Know About Make-A-Wish

• THE FIRST MAKE-A-WISH RECIPIENT GOT THREE WISHES.
• SORRY, BUT THEY WON'T TAKE YOU HUNTING.
• ONE KID WANTED TO STAR IN A GODZILLA MOVIE.
• THEY SEND KIDS TO THE SUPER BOWL EVERY YEAR.
• SOME KIDS DONATE THEIR WISHES TO OTHERS.
• ONE KID'S WISH GOT A LITTLE OUT OF HAND.

The mission of the Make-A-Wish Foundation is to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. The children we serve are fighting for their lives, and their families are doing everything that they can to help them in their battles.

"Together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses." We're on a journey to bring every eligible child's wish to life - a quest sparked by the belief that a wish is integral to a child's treatment. "To grant the wish of every eligible child."

Make-A-Wish grants wishes to individuals who meet two preliminary criteria: (1) children who have reached the age of 3 and are under the age of 18, and (2) who have been diagnosed with a critical illness, i.e., a progressive, degenerative, or malignant medical condition that has placed the child's life in jeopardy.

Contributions of time, talent and money allow us to transform lives, one wish at a time. Wishes come true because of the caring actions of volunteers, donors, medical professionals and communities who come together for one purpose: To create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.

Wish Kid Jenna and her mother, Krissy, have both fought long and uphill battles. But together, by providing support and optimism for each other, the pair have emerged survivors – stronger than ever.

wrestler John Cena Professional wrestler John Cena holds the title for the most wishes granted by a single individual, at over 650 wishes. On June 24, 2022, Disney Cruise Line honored all Make-A-Wish children as godchildren of the Disney Wish.

Including the Surprising Choices Others Made

• Wish #1: Wealth or Happiness. A no-brainer, surely?
• Wish #2: Success or Happiness.
• Wish #3: Fame or Happiness.
• Wish #4: Status or Happiness.
• Wish #5: Attractiveness or Happiness.
• Wish #6: Sex or Happiness.
• Wish #7: Health or Happiness.
• Wish #8: Enlightenment or Happiness.

desire desire, wish, want, crave, covet mean to have a longing for. desire stresses the strength of feeling and often implies strong intention or aim. wish sometimes implies a general or transient longing especially for the unattainable. want specifically suggests a felt need or lack.