| "Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path - and leave a trail." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~ |
| Wish Granting Organisations |
| For children with cancer, the experience of a wish-gift creates a uniquely magical memory. Wishes cover a broad range of requests, from getting a computer, an adventure playground for the back yard or a shopping spree, to theme park trips, dream holidays or meeting a favourite celebrity (several have even met their President). Parents often do not pursue wish-granting opportunities for their child because they believe such gifts are reserved for those with a terminal illness. However, many organisations also grant wishes to children with a "stable" disease and those in remission from cancer, and they are listed on this page. Optic nerve glioma and all three forms of retinoblastoma are considered by these organisations as "life-threatening" diseases. You should consider the following when deciding which organisation to approach on your child's behalf, ? Who is eligible for wish fulfilment? ? What are the geographic or other restrictions? ? Who makes the arrangements for the wish? ? What costs are covered by the wish organisation? ? Who can accompany the child? ? Are there appropriate medical facilities where the wish will take place? ? How do we apply? ? When do we hear if the wish will be granted? A citation on this page is not an endorsement of the organisation. Thorough questioning of the organisation and listening to the experiences of other families will always be the best pathway to choosing the right wish-granter for your child. In addition to the wish-granters listed here, there are many local organisations which may be able to help. You should ask your hospital social worker for information on services in your area. The Association of Wish Granting Organisations http://www.awgo.org/members.asp also has a list of affiliated organisations offering wishes to children throughout the world. A Wish With Wings www.awishwithwings.org Grants wishes to children aged 3-18 who have been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness and reside in the State of Texas. Believe In Tomorrow (Formally "Grant-A-Wish Foundation"). www.believeintomorrow.org Provides family retreat homes and "hands on adventures" across America to any child up to age 18, who is being treated for cancer. Services are provided free of charge and are ongoing throughout a child's treatment. The Brass Ring Society, Inc. http://www.brassring.org/brassring currently down. http://www.worldramp.net/brassring/index.html The society has chapters in all 50 states and grants wishes to children who suffer from life-threatening or terminal illnesses. Children's Hopes and Dreams Foundation (Int'l) www.childrenswishes.org Also maintains a free international Pen Pal service for disabled, chronically and seriously ill children aged 5-17. The Children's Dream Factory www.dreamfactoryinc.org Grants wishes for chronically or seriously ill children aged 3-18 in 15 States across America. Also refers to other wish-granters in areas not covered by existing chapters. Children's Happiness Foundation Contact: Edward C. Hicks, President PO Box 266 Marshfield, MA 02050 (617) 837-9609 or (800) 424-3543 Grants wishes to children aged 3-18 across New England who have been diagnosed with life-threatening or chronic degenerative diseases. Children's Wish Foundation International www.childrenswish.org Has offices in Atlanta, Georgia and London, UK. Grants wishes to children from around the world who are aged under 18 and have a life threatening medical condition. The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada www.childrenswish.ca Grants wishes to children ages 3 to 18 with high-risk, life-threatening diseases. There are chapters throughout Canada, and the website is also available in French. Dreamflight (UK) www.dreamflight.org British Airways employees voluntarily organise an annual, all-expenses paid trip to Disney World and the other central Florida attractions for approx. 290 British children (1 fully boeing 747) with disabilities and/or serious and life-threatening illnesses. Children must be aged between 7-14. This is not a wish-granting charity, but is intended to provide a surprise trip-of-a-lifetime for deserving children who must be nominated for their place on the trip. Dreams Come True, Inc. Emory University Clinic of Paediatric Haematology/Oncology 1365 Clifton Road NE Atlanta, GA 30322 (778) 248-3496 Grants wishes to any child with cancer or chronic blood disease treated at Emory University Haem/Onc Clinic. Fulfill-A-Dream PO Box 3989 Fort Smith, AR 72913 (501) 785-4130 Grants wishes to children aged under 17, with life-threatening illness, who live in eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas. High Hopes Foundation. www.highhopesnh.org Grants wishes to children with life-threatening chronic diseases in New Hampshire. Kids, Inc. John Campbell, President 9300-D Old Keene Mill Road Burke, VA 22015 (703) 455-KIDS Grants unfulfilled wishes to gravely ill children 16 and younger, anywhere in the US. Magic Moments c/o Children's Hospital of Alabama 1600 7th Avenue South Birmingham, AL 35233 (205) 939-9372 Grants wishes to children 4 to 19 living or being treated in Alabama, who have chronic, life-threatening diseases, or who have severe trauma (burns, spinal cord, head trauma). Make A Wish Foundation www.wish.org (US) www.makeawish.ca (Canada) www.worldwish.org (Int'l) Worldwide chapters and affiliates in 30 countries. Grants wishes to children aged under 18, from anywhere in the world, who have a life-threatening illness. Marty Lyons Foundation www.martylyonsfoundation.org Has chapters in 10 States across the Eastern US which grant wishes to children ages 3 to 17 who have a chronic, life-threatening or terminal disease. New Hope for Kids www.newhopeforkids.org An Orlando-based organisation granting wishes to children aged under 18 who have life-threatening illnesses. NHFK focuses primarily on children living in Florida, but has also granted wishes to children from other parts of the US, Canada, England, and Russia. Rotary Wishing Well, Inc. Jim Hogue 10900 NE 8th Street #900 Bellevue, WA 98004 (206) 462-4606 Serves Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Arkansas. Provides significant life experiences for children 4 to 19 with life-threatening or chronic diseases. Also sponsors Camp Goodtimes and "R" Camp Adventures. A Special Wish Foundation, Inc. www.spwish.org Grants wishes to seriously ill children aged under 20, from across the US and Russia. The Starlight Children's Foundation www.starlight.org (Int'l) www.starlight.org.au (Austrailia) www.starlight.org.uk (UK) http://www.starlight.org/intl/about/chapters.htm (US/Canada chapters) Grants wishes to seriously ill children ages 4 to 18. Also provides retreat opportunities and supportive care to seriously ill children. Sunshine Foundation www.sunshinefoundation.org Grants wishes to chronically or terminally ill children, aged 3 to 21, whose family income is less than 75,000 per annum. Also provides retreat village breaks near Orlando, and DreamLift day trips to Disney World. Has no geographic boundaries. The Sunshine Foundation of Canada www.sunshine.ca Has chapters across the country. Grants wishes to children aged 3-19 who are challenged by life threatening illnesses or severe physical disabilities. Also runs Dreamlift day trips to children aged 7-19. Teddi Project c/o Camp Good Days and Special Times 1332 Pittsford-Mendon Road Mendon, NY 14506 (716) 624-5555 or (800) 785-2135 Priority given to children from Central Florida and the upstate New York area, especially Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, and Binghamton. Serves chronically or terminally ill children ages 7 to 17. The Wishing Star Foundation www.wishingstar.org Grants wishes to children aged 3 to 19 with life-threatening diseases who live in Idaho, eastern Washington, and some areas of Oregon and Nevada. Wishing Well Foundation www.wishingwellusa.org Grants wishes to children, primarily in Louisiana, who are facing chronic, life threatening or terminal illness. Independent funding of wish-trips to Walt Disney World and other Central Florida attractions. B.A.S.E. Camp Candlelighters Children's Cancer Foundation www.basecampccf.org Candlelighters does not grant wishes, but does help obtain free or reduced price tickets to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, etc., for children with a haematology/oncology disease and their immediate family. Children must be on-treatment when the application is received. Give Kids The World www.gktw.org Established by a Florida businessman who cared about one little girl's wish, GKTW Village is a 51-acre, non-profit resort for children with life-threatening illnesses whose one wish is to visit central Florida's best loved attractions. |
| ORPHANS OF THE CANCER STORM |
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