Our team had the pleasure of chatting with the President and CEO of Make-A-Wish Missouri and Kansas to learn more about the organization’s incredible story. Continue reading to discover how it’s helping the children who need it most.
Make-A-Wish traces its inspiration to a young 7-year-old boy named Chris Greicius – who was battling leukemia and wished to be a police officer. In 1980, his Phoenix community came together to make his wish come true.
Little did Chris know that his wish would create a movement that would transform millions of lives throughout the world.
Locally, the Missouri and Kansas chapter was founded in 1983 and has granted over 9,000 wishes to children facing overwhelming odds.
What Can a Wish do?
- A wish can be that spark that helps children with critical illnesses believe that anything is possible and gives them the strength to fight harder against their illnesses. This belief guides the Make-A-Wish team and inspires it to grant wishes that change the lives of the kids we serve.
- When children are battling a critical illness, so much of normal childhood is taken away from them. A wish is something that gives kids the opportunity to look outside their illness — it restores a sense of childhood back to the child and normalcy back to the family.
- Make-A-Wish is on a quest to bring every eligible child’s wish to life, because wishes are an important part of a child’s treatment journey. Wishes can help children feel better and give them the hope and strength they need to fight – and even overcome – a critical illness. It’s why health professionals use a wish as part of their treatment plan.
- The wish experience has the power to transcend well beyond that of just the recipient – and can bring entire communities together.
“I’ve been fortunate to have been able to see the impact of a wish firsthand. There is something very powerful about hope, and that is exactly what a wish can do for a child. It provides them with the hope that anything is possible and that there is a brighter future ahead.” – Caroline Schmidt, President and CEO.
Wishes are only made possibly by the team’s caring supporters. Each year it is estimated that there are nearly 600 children who are eligible for a wish in our chapter’s footprint. It is our vision to grant the wish of every eligible child, but it cannot be done without support of the community and volunteers.
Right now, there are children throughout our community who are battling a critical illness and need our help. Those who would like to make a difference can click here to learn more.
