Wish Impact
When a wish comes true, it creates strength, hope and transformation in a child – and a community.

The Impact of a Wish
When children are living with critical illness, so much of normal childhood is taken away from them : it is exhausting, both emotionally and physically. A wish is something that gives children the opportunity to look outside their illness : it restores a sense of childhood back to the child and normalcy back to the family.
Research shows, that a wish can provide improved physical, emotional, and social well-being and inspiration of hope and optimism. 98% of wish children and their parents agree that a wish is important for every child who is living with a critical illness.
Wish Impact in Numbers
The Power of A Wish
For wish families, this journey is more than just a magical experience, it’s a source of strength. Wish children, parents and siblings share in the joy and resilience during the wish journey. Wishes ignite hope, inspiring children to achieve goals. They create a welcome distraction from the exhausting routines of treatment, offering hope and a sense of normalcy that illness often steals away.
Most importantly, wishes bring families closer together. The impact of a wish isn’t just in the moment, it lasts a lifetime.
- Wishes have been shown to have lasting benefits for wish children, parents, and siblings.
- Wish families described increased resilience and self-reliance during the wish journey.
- Wishes create room for new hope, and motivation to achieve goals.
- Wishes provide a welcome distraction from the child’s illness and treatment.
- Wishes facilitate a sense of family togetherness and normalcy.

Wish Impact During the Wish Journey

– 98% of wish children and parents / guardians deemed having a wish experience important for every child with a critical illness.
– 98% of wish children and parents / guardians indicated that they would recommend Make-A-Wish to other children and families in a similar situation.