Tens of thousands of volunteers, donors and supporters advance the Make-A-Wish® vision to grant the wish of every child diagnosed with a critical illness. In the U.S. and its territories, a wish is granted every 34 minutes.

The First Wish Kid Frank "Bopsy" Salazar is the first official Make-A-Wish kid. He's 7 and has leukemia - just like Chris. So, the Phoenix Fire Department gives Bopsy an experience like Chris'; he becomes a member of the Engine 9 crew.

Most wish requests fall into five categories: I wish to go, I wish to be, I wish to meet, I wish to have, or I wish to give. Professional wrestler John Cena holds the title for the most wishes granted by a single individual, at over 650 wishes.

Make-A-Wish traces its inspiration to Christopher James Greicius, an energetic 7-year-old boy battling leukemia who wishes to be a police officer. In 1980, his Phoenix community came together to make his wish come true. Little did Chris know that his wish would create a movement that would transform millions of lives.

The mission of the Make-A-Wish Foundation 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.

"Together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses." We're on a journey to bring every eligible child's wish to life - a quest sparked by the belief that a wish is integral to a child's treatment. "To grant the wish of every eligible child."

3 years of Wishes. Who can receive a wish? Children who are at least 3 years of age, but have not yet reached their 18th birthday, may be referred to Make-A-Wish International. 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.

Many of the children who qualify for a wish go on to lead healthy lives. We grant the wishes of medically eligible children (i.e., those diagnosed with critical illnesses - a progressive, degenerative or malignant condition that has placed the child's life in jeopardy).

Michael Jordan Michael Jordan donates $10 million to Make-A-Wish Make-A-Wish said the NBA legend's donation is the largest individual contribution it has ever received.

The mission of the Make-A-Wish Foundation 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.

desire desire, wish, want, crave, covet mean to have a longing for. desire stresses the strength of feeling and often implies strong intention or aim. wish sometimes implies a general or transient longing especially for the unattainable. want specifically suggests a felt need or lack.

Since its founding in 1983, Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana has granted more than 17,000 wishes to kids with critical illnesses. Three out of four parents say the wish experience marked the turning point in their child's fight against their illness.