The wishes that Make-A-Wish grants around the world wouldn’t be possible without the support of countless donors, volunteers and supporters stepping up throughout the process. ‘WishMakers,’ a term attributed to anyone who helps Make-A-Wish, are everywhere, but more WishMakers are needed in order for Make-A-Wish to achieve its ambitious goal to bring the life-changing impact of a wish to every eligible child. As Make-A-Wish International celebrates World Wish Month this April, they are appealing to members of the public to sign up to become WishMakers at worldwish.org.
World Wish Month reaches its culmination on April 29 known as World Wish Day, which pays tribute to the original WishMakers, a small group of people who joined together to grant 7-year-old Chris’ wish to be a police officer in 1980. Inspired by the experience, some of the people involved decided to create Make-A-Wish, and in turn, sparked the global wish-granting movement that has led to more than 585,000 life-changing wishes being granted.
“Critical illness steals childhood from a child. But through helping to grant wishes, WishMakers have the power to return it. This World Wish Month, we encourage everyone to become a WishMaker by donating, fundraising or supporting us in other ways to help make wishes come true for children around the world facing critical illnesses,” said Luciano Manzo, President and CEO at Make-A-Wish International.
One little girl who knows all about the power of a wish-come-true is 7-year-old Lilah from Australia. Lilah became sick at just 2 years old and as she got progressively weaker, her mum just knew something was wrong. After extensive doctor’s visits and tests, she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at three years old. Mum Amelia tried to explain to her little girl how the grueling treatments – the chemotherapy, the steroids and endless hospital visits were to help her. But Lilah didn’t understand.
Amelia says when the Make-A-Wish volunteers asked Lilah what she wished for, there was one obvious answer. Her wish to fly with fairy wings came from being stuck at home and in hospital and that to Lilah, flying meant freedom. When it was finally time for her to learn to fly, Lilah’s fairy teachers taught her all the basics – such as trapezing, swinging and using silks!
Lilah continues to talk about her wish every day and according to her Mum, the experience, “brought the magic back into my life as well as hers, and that’s something I believe she will carry through the rest of her life.”
Niamh Ryan is Senior Manager, PR and Communications at Make-A-Wish International, having joined the organisation in 2022 after 5 years at Make-A-Wish Ireland. Niamh oversees the organisation’s internal and external communications and looks after media relations and media strategy. With a background in digital marketing, she is passionate about employing the latest technology and trends to help more people learn about the life-changing power of a wish-come-true!