Children who are at least three years of age, but have not yet reached their 18th birthday, may apply to Make-A-Wish. A child’s treating physician will determine if the child is medically eligible for a wish, based on the medical criteria established by Make-A-Wish.

No. A child does not have to be terminally ill. In fact, many of our wish children grow into adulthood and lead healthy, happy lives.

No. Make-A-Wish grants one wish to each eligible child.

Some wishes have restrictions based on various factors, including the child’s medical condition in relation to the wish request. Make-A-Wish takes into consideration all factors as they relate to the wish and the wish child, and then plans the wish accordingly.

No. Wishes are arranged and paid for by Make-A-Wish.

No. Make-A-Wish grants wishes to children who qualify for our services without regard to race, religion, gender, economic status, or national origin.

Yes, in some situations a wish child may have to wait for their wish due to external circumstances such as the child’s health and/or treatment schedule or the availability of a popular celebrity, supplier delays and environmental factors outside our control. If the fulfilment of a wish must be delayed for any reason, the wish child and family are fully informed, and the wish child is given the option to either make another wish request or wait.

In most cases, wishes are delivered within a year. However, it is not easy to specify how long it takes for the Wish Journey. In some circumstances, wishes can be delivered in a matter of hours or days, while in most cases, it can take months or even years.

All wish children have a critical-illnesses. This covers a range of conditions approximately 60% of children who are granted wishes have some form of cancer.

Our job is to make the impossible possible, so it is a very rare occurrence that we cannot create an appropriate experience for a child in line with their one true wish. If a child’s original wish cannot be granted due to health reasons or other circumstances beyond our control, we will work with the child to identify another wish.

Every wish is as unique and special as each child and is only limited by the child’s imagination. From going on scary rides with dad or creating magical memories with family members, to princess playhouses, tree huts, bedroom makeovers, meeting celebrities, pets, spas, family holidays or swimming with dolphins, our aim is always to uncover the one true wish. Check out our wish stories section to see some recent examples of just how magical each wish is.