We are honored to name Make-A-Wish San Diego as our Rylee + Cru Foundation Grant Recipient for the month of May. Since 1980, this world-renowned organization has brought hope and joy to children and families facing critical illnesses through the power of wish granting. These life-changing wishes are often a turning point in a child’s journey—offering hope, strength, joy, and renewed confidence. Our grant will directly support our local chapter’s current initiative to identify children in the San Diego area with heart conditions who are wish-eligible, and help make their wishes come true. Learn more about the wish granting process in our Q&A with Make-A-Wish San Diego CEO, Suzanne Husby.
Q&A
Q. Can you walk us through the process of granting a wish—from application to fulfillment?
A. Each child is paired with a team of wish granting volunteers who help bring their most heartfelt wish into focus. We never suggest ideas because the goal is to empower a child to dream of their own wish ideas. We work closely with our medical partners to ensure each wish is granted safely and is suited to the individual child and their needs. We rely on the generosity of our community to make every wish come true- whether it’s an airline crew welcoming a family at the airport, an interior designer creating a dream bedroom makeover, a landscaper building a backyard playhouse, a tech expert setting up a gaming system, or any other number of important roles being played. Everyone involved makes the wish experience even more special and personalized for the child which in turn, creates a feeling of hope and joy for the child and all involved.
Q. How are children with wish-eligible conditions identified and selected?
A. Every child dealing with a critical illness between 2 ½ and 17 years old, is eligible to receive a wish. Kids can be referred by a parent/guardian, family member, or medical professional. No eligible child is ever turned away and there is no wait list; once deemed eligible, their wish journey begins right away! The idea that every wish child is at end-of-life is a misconception; most kids go on to live long beyond their wish experience. Medical professionals and parents often credit the wish itself being the positive turning point that helped the child fight through their illness.
Q. What impact does granting a wish have on the child and their family? Do you have a story or testimonial you can share?
A. A wish has the power to change a child’s mental state and provide them with a sense of empowerment and hope for the future. Make-A-Wish alumni, parents, and medical providers agree that the wish experience contributes to physical, mental, and emotional health, and that the wish…
- Was a necessary part of the medical treatment journey, improved the odds of survival, provided a support system and better health outcomes, and gave the child a better chance of recovering from their critical illness.
- Increased hope, strength, joy, confidence, self-esteem, quality of life, and well-being.
- Served as a coping mechanism and a turning point during treatment.
- Brought families closer together and strengthened relationships with loved ones.
- Helped overcome traumatic stress, hopelessness, depression, and loneliness.
Q. From April 1 to July 1, Make-A-Wish San Diego is raising funds specifically to grant wishes for children with heart conditions. What inspired this initiative?
A. A recent study revealed there are more children dealing with wish-eligible conditions in our area than we’re currently reaching, and the data indicates that the largest gap exists within the cardiology population. Today, there are more than twice as many kids dealing with qualifying heart conditions than have been referred. As we work with our medical partners to identify these children, we’re seeking additional funds to ensure we can grant each of their wishes without delay.
Q. What are some ways the community can get involved and support Make-A-Wish?
A. Every dollar has been generously donated by individuals, corporations, community partners, and grant funders, or through bequests/planned gifts. We rely on in-kind partners for discounts and donations to enhance each wish experience and help make every dollar go further. There are many ways to get involved including becoming a volunteer, donating funds or specific gift cards to support wishes, giving goods or services to make wishes come true, attending an event, or maybe even hosting a fundraiser of your own!
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We are proud to support organizations that bring hope and happiness to children and families around the world. Submit an application to recommend a 501(c)(3) non-profit making a difference in your community and each month we’ll select one to receive a $10,000 grant in your name.
We appreciate your partnership on our giving journey.
