Medical Team – Make A Wish

Medical Eligibility

We grant wishes for Kiwi children with a critical illness. A critical illness is defined as a life-threatening stage or with extreme long-term complications.

Critical illnesses include, but are not restricted to: childhood cancers, certain types of muscular dystrophy, certain neurological or genetic diseases, cardiac disorders, renal failure and traumatic injuries.

Read more about our criteria HERE.

Any questions? Please get in touch with our Medical Outreach Specialist.

Make-A-Wish represents so much beyond the beauty of a no-strings-attached gift. It becomes a therapy in itself giving hope for a better day. More than that, it’s something the child has control over. In their world, where so much is taken out of their hands, Make-A-Wish remains their chance to choose, to plan and to dream – often only things the child themselves would think of.

Dr Tim Prestidge, Paediatric Haematology-Oncology, Starship Child Health

Make-A-Wish provides such an important service to children with critical illness. Something that is completely of their choosing, wholly positive and separate from their experience of illness or treatment. It provides a ray of sunshine which can make all the difference for the young person and their family.

Dr Andrew Dodgshun Paediatric Oncologist CHOC, Waitaha Canterbury

The thing I like about make a wish is that children can get to have their say – a laptop or a puppy, a pink party or meeting their sports hero. It’s a way of expressing who they are at a time in their lives when they’ve usually just finished some pretty tough times and they can relax and celebrate.

Dr Siobhan Cross, Paediatric Haematologist/Oncologist CHOC, Waitaha Canterbury

When the going gets tough, and it certainly gets tough, Make-A-Wish provides hope and experiences that help children, adolescents, and whānau keep going.

Dr Andy Wood, Paediatric Haematology-Oncology, Starship Child Health

Make-A-Wish represents so much beyond the beauty of a no-strings-attached gift. It becomes a therapy in itself giving hope for a better day. More than that, it’s something the child has control over. In their world, where so much is taken out of their hands, Make-A-Wish remains their chance to choose, to plan and to dream – often only things the child themselves would think of.

Dr Tim Prestidge, Paediatric Haematology-Oncology, Starship Child Health

Make-A-Wish provides such an important service to children with critical illness. Something that is completely of their choosing, wholly positive and separate from their experience of illness or treatment. It provides a ray of sunshine which can make all the difference for the young person and their family.

Dr Andrew Dodgshun Paediatric Oncologist CHOC, Waitaha Canterbury

The thing I like about make a wish is that children can get to have their say – a laptop or a puppy, a pink party or meeting their sports hero. It’s a way of expressing who they are at a time in their lives when they’ve usually just finished some pretty tough times and they can relax and celebrate.

Dr Siobhan Cross, Paediatric Haematologist/Oncologist CHOC, Waitaha Canterbury

Make-A-Wish represents so much beyond the beauty of a no-strings-attached gift. It becomes a therapy in itself giving hope for a better day. More than that, it’s something the child has control over. In their world, where so much is taken out of their hands, Make-A-Wish remains their chance to choose, to plan and to dream – often only things the child themselves would think of.

Dr Tim Prestidge, Paediatric Haematology-Oncology, Starship Child Health

Make-A-Wish provides such an important service to children with critical illness. Something that is completely of their choosing, wholly positive and separate from their experience of illness or treatment. It provides a ray of sunshine which can make all the difference for the young person and their family.

Dr Andrew Dodgshun Paediatric Oncologist CHOC, Waitaha Canterbury

© 2025 Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Zealand | Charities Registration Number: CC24625