Hi,

My name is Judith, I grew up in the Netherlands, however I’ve lived in Turkey for the past 20 years. My family and I have our own company in Istanbul, and this is where our children were raised. We are a sporty family who likes to spend our holidays camping, surfing, skiing and hiking (you can tell by our family picture!). 

The first time I came in contact with Make-A-Wish was about 15 years ago. It was the year after my best friend lost her daughter in a tragic accident. In memory of her daughter, my friend organized a fundraiser for Make-A-Wish Turkey. This was a wonderful way to commemorate her little girl, but also to extend the support to other families who are going through similar experiences. Since then, Make-A-Wish has crossed my path time and time again.

“I’ve seen first-hand how important hope is for a grieving family, and how impactful it can be to make special and long-lasting memories through a child’s illness.”

A few years ago, a famous Dutch football player sent a personal message to another friend of mine, saying that he dedicated his winning goals to their son who had just passed away. Still to this day, this gives my friend and her family so much strength and joy when talking about their son.

These two personal experiences taught me the importance of the work of organizations like Make-A-Wish, and the difference they can make, not only for the child living with a critical illness but for their whole family. Today I support Make-A-Wish International for their mission and global reach.

– Judith