Tomorrow night I have the unique opportunity to attend the Make-A-Wish Big Wish Gala in downtown Cleveland. I’m looking forward to learning more about this organization’s vision to grant the wish of every child diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition.
Did you know… ?
- Make-A-Wish® creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. The organization is on a quest to bring every eligible child’s wish to life, because a wish is an integral part of a child’s treatment journey.
- Wishes can have a significant impact on the lives of these children and their families:
- 89% of medical professionals say that the wish experience influences wish kids’ physical health. (Results from national wish impact study)
- 99% of parents reported that the wish experience gave their children increased feelings of happiness and 96% said that the wish experience strengthened their families.
- There is a need for more awareness and fundraising to make wishes happen, as only one out of two eligible kids receive a wish.
I’m especially interested in the program tomorrow night, during which I’ll see a video featuring Dr. Anup Patel, Section Chief of Pediatric Neurology and Director of the Complex Epilepsy Clinic at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus. Dr. Patel will share preliminary findings of a study he is conducting on the physical outcomes of wishes on kids battling critical illnesses, showing that they are more than just a “nice to have.”
I plan to share more about the event with all of you in the coming days! In the meantime, click here to learn more about Make-A-Wish.
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