Uncover the Magic: 13 Enchanting Fun Facts About the Make-A-Wish Foundation

1. Bopsy's Firefighter and Disney Dream

From firefighting-dream-flights to tiptoeing with the Mouse, we've got a magical tale for you: It all started in 1980 when Frank "Bopsy" Salazar, a 7-year-old leukemia fighter, became the first official wish kid for Make-A-Wish, enjoying an enthralling ride with the Phoenix Fire Department's Engine 9 crew and later being whisked away by the Anaheim Fire Department to Disney's Southern California wonderland, cementing a legacy of granting wishes to brave, young souls.
Source => wish.org

2. Granting Wishes Every 19 Minutes

Faster than a fish on a bicycle and almost as impressive as an elephant on roller skates, Make-A-Wish is on a roll to grant dreams: Their goal is to grant a wish every 19 minutes for eligible children battling critical illnesses, and so far, they're averaging a wish every 34 minutes in the United States.
Source => wish.org

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3. 450,000 Wishes and Counting

If wishes were fishes, Make-A-Wish Foundation would've swum a couple of laps around the world by now: This heartwarming organization has granted over 450,000 wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions since 1980, bringing hope, strength, and joy to families worldwide and partnering with countless companies to make the magic happen.
Source => looktothestars.org

4. Corporate Magic Makers

When corporations aren't busy climbing the ladders of success or shaking hands in high-powered boardrooms, they can be found making dreams come true, complete with fairy dust and magic wands: Through their partnerships with Make-A-Wish, national companies are granting life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses, showcasing the positive impact businesses can have within their communities.
Source => wish.org

5. Worldwide Wish Granters

Who said rubbing a genie lamp was the only way to make wishes come true? Well, the Make-A-Wish Foundation sure didn't: Established in Phoenix, United States, this magical organization has been granting wishes to terminally ill children aged 2.5 to 17 years since 1980, spreading its fairy dust to 60 locations within the US and 45 countries worldwide.
Source => daysoftheyear.com

6. Over 330,000 Dreams Come True

What does a generous genie and Make-A-Wish Foundation have in common? They love to make dreams come true for brave young souls! The magical tidings: Make-A-Wish has granted over 330,000 life-changing wishes to seriously ill children between the ages of 2½ and 18, in the US, its territories, and 50 countries worldwide, since its enchanting start in 1980!
Source => wish.org

7. WWE's Wishful WrestleMania

When wrestling fans say they're grappling with joy, they aren't pulling any punches: WWE has been a dedicated partner of Make-A-Wish for 40 years, granting thousands of wishes for children with critical illnesses, with WrestleMania acting as one of the largest wish granting events each year, including 20 wish kids attending WrestleMania 39 and participating in the show.
Source => prnewswire.com

8. Marvel-ous Wish Experiences

Some people might think that Earth's mightiest heroes only exist on the big screen, but little do they know that they've been dishing out superpowered wishes like free popcorn at a movie theater concession stand: In collaboration with Marvel Studios and Regal Cinemas, Make-A-Wish has been granting magical experiences to wish kids for over 10 years, including attending movie premieres and rubbing shoulders with their superhero idols. One lucky kid named Evan even got his own private Avengers: Endgame red carpet event and swag-filled screening, bypassing his medical restrictions like a boss.
Source => wish.org

9. Blasting Off to Space Camp

Houston, we have a solution: Make-A-Wish stepped in with a frequent flyer assist for a space camp-bound teen defying galactic-sized odds against her rare blood and organ condition. With miles to spare, 15-year-old Vikki Inamagua and her family rocketed towards dream fulfillment and celebrated over 40 years of the foundation granting wishes to kids tackling life-threatening illnesses.
Source => cbsnews.com

10. Disney World and Happy Pandemic Pivots

Say goodbye to the Magic Kingdom blues - It's raining puppies and shopping sprees now: Amidst pandemic restrictions, Make-A-Wish has been granting more local wishes like shopping sprees and pet adoptions, but Disney World trips still hold the crown, accounting for over half of the total wishes granted, and leaving a queue of 400+ children eagerly awaiting their turn for a memorable Orlando adventure.
Source => wunc.org

11. Batkid Saves Gotham City

When Gotham City called for a savior, even Bruce Wayne knew he had some competition: In 2013, the Make-A-Wish Foundation transformed San Francisco into Gotham City for five-year-old Miles, who, as Batkid, saved the day and won hearts nationwide, with President Barack Obama cheering him on via Vine, and Mayor Ed Lee awarding him the key to the city.
Source => wired.com

12. The Healing Power of Wishes

Who knew granting wishes could double as Dr. Feel-good? That's right: Make-A-Wish isn't just about making dreams come true, it's also a vital component of medical treatment for critically ill children, improving their survival odds, health outcomes, and overall well-being. And trust us, there's no prescription for "hope, strength, joy, confidence, and self-esteem" quite like a wish granted.
Source => wish.org

13. Worldwide Spellcasters of Joy

Abracadabra, alakazam, and bibbidi-bobbidi-boo: For critically ill children aged 2.5 to 18, Make-A-Wish magicians have been casting spells of happiness since 1980! The serious reveal: Through their enchanting efforts, they've conjured up over 330,000 smiling faces across the United States, its territories, and even in far-off lands of 50 countries worldwide.
Source => wish.org