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A young child in a pink dress smiles and tosses a purple balloon in a pastel-colored bedroom decorated with butterflies, plush toys, and framed photos on the wall.
A young child in a pink dress smiles while tossing a purple balloon in a decorated bedroom with floral wallpaper and a striped bedspread.
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Give back stolen childhood to children with critical illnesses

Every 25 seconds, a child like Emma begins a journey no child should have to face — hospital stays, treatments, and long nights away from home.
With your help, Make-A-Wish can bring light, hope, and joy back into their lives. Each wish granted is a chance to give back a piece of childhood that illness has taken away.

Blue outline of a stopwatch with two small buttons on top, showing the time as approximately 2:00. The design is simple with no numbers, only clock hands and four dots marking the quarters.

Every 25 seconds, a child is diagnosed with a critical illness.

Every 25 seconds, a child is diagnosed with a critical illness.

A simple blue line drawing of a stethoscope on a white background, representing a medical or healthcare concept.

Cancer is one of the most common conditions affecting our wish children.

Cancer is one of the most common conditions affecting our wish children.

Blue outline of a hand holding a star, centered on a white circular background. The image suggests offering, giving, or achievement.

Last year, we granted nearly 32,000 wishes to children around the world.

Last year, we granted nearly 32,000 wishes to children around the world.

For every wish granted, two children are still waiting

Four children are shown in different settings: a girl in a pink dress with balloons, a girl holding “1st Wish” sign and balloons, a smiling boy in a yellow sweater in a wheelchair, and a girl with a popsicle and medical equipment.

 

This holiday season, help us bring back the magic of childhood.
Your gift moves us closer to our big goal — granting 20,000 wishes in 2026.

Donate Now

Join the Global Wish Force to give back stolen childhoods

Meet Emma.

She’s spent more time in hospital than most children spend in playgrounds. But through every tough treatment and long night, she never stopped dreaming.

There are thousands of children like Emma still waiting for their wish — waiting for a chance to feel like a kid again. Will you help us grant more wishes and bring hope to more children around the world?

We grant wishes for children living with critical illnesses in more than 40 countries — children whose childhoods have been interrupted by hospital stays, treatments, and endless appointments. With your support, we can reach even more children, in more places, and bring back the joy that illness has taken away.