Make A Wish Foundation of Alabama, Inc.

The Make-A-Wish mission is to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. The children we serve are fighting for their lives, and their families are doing everything that they can to help them in their battles. We believe that these children and their families deserve the chance to enjoy once-in-a-lifetime experiences that relieve them of the immense stress accompanying the treatment of a life-threatening medical condition, and produce positive, hopeful mindsets that outlast the illness. The organization's wish-granting activities accomplish this by augmenting traditional medicine, impacting each child's emotional state and the family unit - the child's primary support structure. By granting the child's one heartfelt wish, and involving the entire immediate family in the process, we re-empower the child to fight his/her illness and energize the family - and the community - to support the child. Our long-term goal, or vision, is to be able to make every eligible child's wish come true. By granting increasingly more wishes each year to qualifying children, we anticipate that, one day, we will be able to fulfill every eligible child's wish and propagate the joyful outcomes to an ever-wider community of participants and witnesses.

There are five main categories of wishes. Children can wish, “to go,” “to be,” “to have,” “to meet,” and, “to give.”

Our most popular wish is “to go to Walt Disney World® Resort.” Disney wishes to account for more than half of the wishes we grant each year. Other favorite “wish to go” wishes include “I wish to go to Hawaii,” “go on a cruise,” and, “go on a shopping spree.”

Many children have dreams of being a singer, artist, first responder, favorite athlete, or even a Navy Seal. Make-A-Wish makes their dreams a reality. Some children wish to, “be a firefighter,” while others wish to “be a model,” “be a ballerina,” or, “be a superhero.”

Many children wish “to have.” Playsets, computers, video equipment, treehouses, and room renovations are all popular wishes. The joy children and their families feel during the wish experience lives on long after it is granted.

“I wish to meet” is another popular and powerful wish choice. Whether it’s a celebrity, renowned chef, favorite sports team, or character, Make-A-Wish opens doors few others can. Children who wish to meet their favorite singer may also see their idol on stage in concert. Or, if a child wishes to meet their favorite athlete, they could also get a personalized jersey and a behind-the-scenes tour of the locker room or stadium.

"I Wish to Give" is a unique option that allows the child to donate their wish. This could be a contribution to their favorite nonprofit organization, a gift to their school, or an experience for someone they care about. This is a powerful wish option for the children who choose to think of others and the impact their generosity can have.

Make-A-Wish possesses several key capabilities that enable it to successfully grant life-changing wishes to children with critical illnesses. We could not grant wishes without our strong network of dedicated volunteers and staff members who work tirelessly to coordinate and fulfill wishes. Extensive partnerships with corporations, non-profits, community organizations, and individual donors provide the necessary resources, expertise, and support to create diverse and meaningful experiences. Make-A-Wish has a comprehensive wish planning process that involves close collaboration with the child and their family to understand their unique desires and needs, leveraging their network to make these wishes come true. Through longstanding relationships with entities like Disney, sports teams, celebrities, and other high-profile organizations, Make-A-Wish can offer access to exclusive experiences and destinations that are often out of reach for most families. By leveraging these partnerships, Make-A-Wish creates transformative experiences that bring joy and hope to children with critical illnesses and provide lasting positive effects for their families and communities.

A wish transforms the lives of the wish child, their families, their communities, and every person involved in the granting of the wish. Since 2012, we have granted over 1,000 wishes for children in Alabama, and the impact of each wish granted lasts far beyond the hope and joy a child feels during their wish experience. We recognize that meaningful impact can be measured by the positive changes observed in wish children, their families, and the wider community.

In 2022, a Make-A-Wish Foundation impact study surveyed parents, health professionals, and wish kids. Respondents reported that a wish positively impacted their emotional well-being, provided strength to fight their illness, and impacted the child’s overall health long-term. According to the survey, 8 out of 10 wish kids reported that their wish gave them the strength to fight their critical illness. Additionally, 9 out of 10 wish parents reported that their child’s wish experience strengthened their relationship with loved ones, and 100% of medical providers reported that the wish experience improves a child’s health and emotional well-being.

These findings serve as key indicators of the meaningful impact generated by wish fulfillment. This year, we are proud to grant 180 wishes, yet we recognize that over 300 children are diagnosed with a critical illness each year in Alabama. To bridge this gap, we are committed to expanding our efforts to ensure that every eligible child can experience the transformative power of a wish.