World Wish Day (April 29), Celebrating Hope and Joy for Children with Critical Illnesses

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Learn about the history of World Wish Day and how to observe it, as well as interesting facts about wish making. Discover why World Wish Day is important and how the Make-A-Wish Foundation brings hope and joy to the lives of children with critical illnesses.

World Wish Day is an annual observance held on April 29th, that aims to raise awareness and support for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a non-profit organization that grants the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses, aiming to bring them joy, strength, and hope during difficult times. World Wish Day is celebrated in honor of the day that the first wish was granted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation in 1980, and serves as a reminder of the importance of fulfilling the wishes of children with critical illnesses. It is a day to recognize the impact that granting wishes can have on the lives of children and their families, and to encourage people to support the mission of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

History of World Wish Day

World Wish Day was first celebrated on April 29th, 1980, to commemorate the day when the first wish was granted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The Make-A-Wish Foundation was founded in 1980 by a group of individuals in Arizona, USA, who wanted to create a lasting memory for a young boy named Chris Greicius, who had been diagnosed with leukemia. Chris’s wish was to become a police officer, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation was able to grant his wish just before he passed away.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation quickly grew in popularity, and in 1983, President Ronald Reagan officially recognized the organization as a national charity. Today, the Make-A-Wish Foundation operates in over 50 countries worldwide and has granted more than 500,000 wishes since its inception.

World Wish Day serves as a reminder of the importance of the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s mission to grant the wishes of children with critical illnesses. It is a day to celebrate the impact that these wishes can have on the lives of children and their families, and to encourage people to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation in its mission to bring hope, strength, and joy to children around the world.

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World Wish Day

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How do I Make a Wish?

If you are a child with a critical illness, or you know a child who is facing a serious medical condition, you can refer them to the Make-A-Wish Foundation to have their wish granted. Here are the steps to follow:

  1. Check if the child is eligible: Make-A-Wish Foundation grants wishes to children who are between the ages of 2.5 and 18 at the time of referral, who have been diagnosed with a critical illness.
  2. Find the local chapter: Go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation website and find the chapter that serves your area. You can search by zip code, state, or country.
  3. Make a referral: Contact the local chapter and fill out a referral form to start the wish process. The referral can be made by a family member, medical professional, or the child themselves (with parental consent).
  4. The Wish Process: The local chapter will then work with the child and their family to determine the child’s one true wish. The wish can be anything the child wants, such as a trip, meeting a celebrity, or receiving a special gift.
  5. Granting the Wish: Once the wish is determined, the Make-A-Wish Foundation will work to make it come true. The wish experience is designed to create lasting memories and bring joy to the child and their family.

If you would like to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation, you can donate or volunteer with your local chapter to help grant wishes for children with critical illnesses.

How to Observe World Wish Day

Observing World Wish Day is a great way to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation and raise awareness of their mission to grant wishes for children with critical illnesses. Here are some ways to observe World Wish Day:

  1. Make a donation: You can make a donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation in honor of World Wish Day. Your donation will help grant wishes for children with critical illnesses.
  2. Share on social media: Use social media platforms to raise awareness of World Wish Day and the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s mission. Share stories of wish children, photos, or videos, and encourage your friends and family to get involved.
  3. Volunteer: Consider volunteering with your local Make-A-Wish Foundation chapter. There are many ways to volunteer, such as assisting with wish granting, fundraising, or helping at events.
  4. Spread the word: Spread the word about World Wish Day by sharing information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation with your community, schools, or workplaces. You can also contact local media outlets to share news about World Wish Day.
  5. Make a wish: If you or someone you know qualifies for a wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, submit a referral and start the process of having a wish granted.

Observing World Wish Day is a great way to help support the Make-A-Wish Foundation and bring joy to the lives of children with critical illnesses.

World Wish Day

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Interesting Facts About Wish Making

Here are some interesting facts about wish making:

  1. The tradition of making wishes dates back to ancient civilizations, including the Greeks and Romans, who would throw coins into fountains or wells and make wishes.
  2. The phrase “wishful thinking” was first recorded in 1932 in a book called “The Theory of Social and Economic Organization” by Max Weber.
  3. In some cultures, it is believed that blowing out birthday candles and making a wish will make it come true. This tradition is thought to have originated with the ancient Greeks, who believed that smoke carried their wishes to the gods.
  4. The largest wish-granting organization in the world is the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which has granted over 500,000 wishes since its inception in 1980.
  5. The most commonly wished for items by children are trips to Disney World, meeting celebrities, and receiving electronics or toys.
  6. In some countries, such as Japan, it is believed that folding 1,000 paper cranes will grant a wish. This tradition is known as senbazuru.
  7. The “wishbone” tradition, where two people pull on a chicken bone and make a wish, is thought to have originated with the Etruscans, an ancient civilization in Italy.
  8. In some cultures, it is believed that making a wish on a shooting star will make it come true. This tradition dates back to ancient Greece and Rome, where it was thought that the gods were sending messages through shooting stars.
  9. The act of blowing out candles on a cake and making a wish is thought to have originated with the ancient Greeks, who would make offerings of round cakes with lit candles to the goddess Artemis.
  10. Many cultures believe that making a wish on a certain day or during a certain time of day, such as at midnight on New Year’s Eve, will make it more likely to come true.

Why World Wish Day is Important

World Wish Day is an important day because it brings attention to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and its mission to grant wishes for children with critical illnesses. Here are some reasons why World Wish Day is important:

  1. Raises awareness: World Wish Day helps raise awareness of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the important work they do to bring joy to the lives of children with critical illnesses. This increased awareness can lead to more donations, volunteers, and wish referrals.
  2. Inspires hope: By granting wishes for children with critical illnesses, the Make-A-Wish Foundation inspires hope and positivity during difficult times. The wish experience can provide a much-needed break from medical treatments and help children and their families feel empowered.
  3. Provides joy: A wish granted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation can provide joy not just for the child, but for their entire family. The experience can create lasting memories and bring happiness during a difficult time.
  4. Encourages giving: World Wish Day encourages people to give back to their communities by supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Whether through donations or volunteering, giving back can have a positive impact on both the giver and the recipient.
  5. Creates a sense of community: World Wish Day brings together people from all walks of life who share a common goal of supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation. This sense of community can inspire people to work together to make a difference in the lives of children with critical illnesses.

Overall, World Wish Day is important because it shines a light on the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the important work they do to bring joy and hope to the lives of children with critical illnesses.

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