Spotlight: Make-a-Wish Foundation

There’s a very good chance you’ve heard of the Make-a-Wish Foundation, but you might not know as much about the incredible hard work and the scope of the efforts made by Make-a-Wish teams across the country and internationally. This month, Blue Rock’s charity spotlight is on this organization, which focuses on granting wishes to children with critical illnesses.

 

Since its inception in 1980, the Make-a-Wish Foundation has granted hundreds of thousands of wishes. Following referrals from medical professionals, the Make-a-Wish team works with volunteers, community leaders, and vast networks to connect with the people who can make each child’s wish come true. Nearly 40,000 volunteers contribute their time and energy annually, along with countless donations that make these wishes possible.

 

Make-a-Wish is built on the firm belief that the granting of these wishes can provide some of what a child needs while battling critical illness: strength, hope, transformation, and community. The foundation’s impact research found that wish children and families reported significant physical, mental, and emotional benefits, including:

• Increased hope, strength, joy, confidence, self-esteem, quality of life, and well-being.
• Served as a coping mechanism and a turning point during treatment.
• Brought families closer together and strengthened relationships with loved ones.
• Helped overcome traumatic stress, hopelessness, depression, and loneliness.

 

95% of wish alumni said their wish experience improved their overall well-being, and 73% reported physical improvements and an increased willingness to make choices to lead to healthy outcomes. Among medical professionals, 98% reported that a wish had a positive impact on patients’ physical well-being. 75% even said that a wish improves a child’s medical outcomes!

 

The Make-a-Wish Foundation holds a special meaning for our team at Blue Rock: it was the charity of choice for Chris Rios, one of our founding partners, who passed away this June.

 

“I am a firm believer in the power of thought. Make-A-Wish Foundation is founded on similar principles: ‘A wish can be that spark that helps these children believe that anything is possible and gives them the strength to fight harder against their illnesses,’” Chris said. “When a child’s wish comes true, little do they know that their inspiring stories are powerful catalysts for many to finally begin living their best lives; their experience ignites the community involved and ironically, many are changed to believe that anything is possible themselves.”

 

Blue Rock is proud to honor the legacy of Chris Rios, and to highlight and support the incredible work of the Make-a-Wish Foundation!