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Fact Sheet

Creating hope and happiness by granting wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses in Canada.

Who We Are

  • A highly recognized international wish granting organization with affiliates on five continents, serving 30 countries worldwide.

  • Our national office is located in Toronto.

  • There are eight regional wish granting chapters across Canada with trained staff and volunteers dedicated to bringing the magic to children in their community.

Quick Statistics about Make-A-Wish®

  • Internationally, we have granted over 162,000 wishes.

  • To date, Make-A-Wish Foundation® in Canada has granted over 2,400 wishes to Canadian children.

  • Approximately one wish is granted in Canada every day.

  • The average cost to grant a wish in Canada is approximately $6,600.

History
  • The Make-A-Wish Foundation® was founded in 1980 in Phoenix, Arizona.
  • The inspiration for the beginnings of the Foundation was a wish granted to Christopher Greicius by members of the Arizona Highway Patrol. Christopher who had leukemia, wished to be a police officer. The Arizona Highway Patrol made Christopher an honourary police officer.
  • In the fall of 1983, Make-A-Wish® granted the first wish in Canada to Debbie, aged 13, suffering from leukemia. Debbie chose to go to Germany with her father and brother to see her grandparents.
  • 1983: The Make-A-Wish Foundation® is established in Canada with a chapter in British Columbia.
  • 1986: Southwestern Ontario Chapter established in London, Ont.
  • 1992: Make-A-Wish® Canada, the national governing body and Make-A-Wish® International established
  • 1993-2000: Establishment of five new chapters in Canada: Toronto and Central Ontario, Eastern Ontario, Northern Ontario, Northern Alberta and Southern Alberta
  • 2001: Establishment of new chapters in Quebec and Atlantic Provinces (serving Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland).
Unique Features of the Organization
  • Wishes fall into four main categories: I wish to have . . . , I wish to be . . . , I wish to go to . . . , I wish to meet . . .
  • We ensure the wish is very personal, involves the family and is free from financial worries. The Make-A-Wish Foundation® encourages the entire family to be a part of the wish experience, knowing that parents and siblings need magical moments just as much as the wish child.
  • We do not receive government funding. Funds donated from individuals and corporations help grant wishes.
  • We do not participate in chain letters, door-to-door solicitations, telemarketing or other direct solicitation wishes.
  • We do not solicit wishes. All children are referred to Make-A-Wish® through the medical community, friends or relatives.
  • We do not embark on “group” wishes such as airlifts to Walt Disney World® Resort – all wishes are individual and based on the child’s chosen wish.
Special Make-A-Wish Foundation® Programs
  • Adopt-A-Wish® is a valuable opportunity for local businesses, church groups, community organizations or individuals to experience the joy of knowing that they made an ill child’s wish come true. Groups or individuals are encouraged to raise funds, which are then designated towards an upcoming wish. A unique feature of the program is that donors will see direct results from their contributions when they receive the exciting details of the wish that they helped to grant.
  • Kids For Wish Kids® is a program that takes the concept of wish granting into schools. Through creating their own fundraising initiatives, children can learn about and become motivated by the opportunity to help support a child less fortunate.
  • International Make-A-Wish® Day is celebrated around the world on April 29th each year. Our Canadian chapters join together with our Make-A-Wish® International affiliates to celebrate the anniversary of the first wish ever granted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation®. The year 2007 marks the 27th anniversary of the Foundation’s first wish. Make-A-Wish®  Canada (National Office)


521-4211 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M2P 2A9
Ph: 416-224-9474 TF: 1-888-822-WISH (9474)
nationaloffice@makeawish.ca /  www.makeawish.ca

 

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