Refer a Child
Who is eligible?
A child with a life-threatening medical condition who has reached the age of 2½ and is under the age of 18 at the time of referral, is potentially eligible for a wish.
After a child is referred to Make-A-Wish®, the Foundation will contact the child’s treating physician to determine whether the child is medically eligible for a wish, based on the medical criteria established by the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America. In addition, a child cannot have received a wish from another wish-granting organization.
Who can refer a child?
- Medical professionals
- Parents/legal guardians
- Potential wish kids
*Please keep in mind that Make-A-Wish Foundation will not cold-call a potential wish kid. We ask that you please exercise compassion, and suggest to the family that they contact us themselves. Having a second-party introduction can often times make the child or their family feel uncomfortable, and we would prefer that the process be comforting, enjoyable and as private as possible. Thank you for your understanding in this matter.
How can I refer a child?
To learn more about referring a child who lives in the United States or one of its territories, you may use our online inquiry form or contact us. The inquiry form is not an official application, but a request for more information.
If you would like to learn more about referring a child residing outside the United States, please contact Make-A-Wish Foundation International. If you are not eligible to refer a child, please ask the child’s family to visit our Web site or contact their local chapter or international affiliate.
Every fulfilled wish represents a unique collaboration between wish families, medical professionals, volunteers and donors. Wish granting truly is a magical, yet comprehensive and dynamic process.
The magic of wish granting usually begins with a referral call to the chapter office by a physician or social worker; however, the family or even the child himself may do the referral. A wish referral form is completed with relevant information about the child. After the Make-A-Wish Foundation has been contacted, a medical authorization form is sent to the child’s primary physician. Upon medical approval, a team of volunteers will schedule an initial wish visit to discover the child’s wish. Then chapter staff and volunteers work the magic for the child’s wish to come true. There are four steps to granting a wish. Each step builds on the next to help create the amazing experiences that delight wish kids and their families. A wish experience is frequently a source of inspiration for children undergoing difficult medical treatments and a positive force that helps them overcome their obstacles.
A wish experience is often more than a dream come true: It’s the catalyst that rekindles their belief in themselves and the promise of their future.
Most wish requests fall into four major categories:
I wish to go…
Some Make-A-Wish® kids want to travel to their favorite theme park, while others want to visit an exotic beach, go on a cruise, see snow for the first time, or attend a major sporting event or concert.
I wish to be…
Children search the depths of their imagination when they wish to be someone for a day - a fireman, a police officer, or a model, for instance.
I wish to meet…
Many want to meet their favorite athlete, recording artist, television personality, movie star, politician, or public figure.
I wish to have…
Children often wish for a special gift, like a computer, a tree house, a shopping spree, or something that they have coveted for a long time.
Step 1: Referral
To protect the privacy of potential wish kids, we only accept referrals from medical professionals, parents and children themselves. Children who have reached the age of 2½ and are under the age of 18 at the time of referral who have not received a wish from another wish-granting organization may be eligible for a wish.
Step 2: Medical Eligibility
We determine a child’s medical eligibility with the help of the treating physician. To receive a wish, the child must be diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition – i.e., a progressive, degenerative or malignant condition that has placed the child’s life in jeopardy.
Step 3: Finding the true wish
We send one of our enthusiastic wish teams to learn the child’s one true wish. These passionate volunteers connect with wish children and help explore their imaginations for the experience that will delight and inspire them.
Step 4: Creating joy
Our wish granters create an unforgettable experience driven by the child’s creativity. It’s an incredible experience that enriches not just the lives of the children and their families, but often an entire communities.
Qualifying for a Wish
We grant the wishes of medically eligible children who:
* have been diagnosed with a progressive, degenerative or malignant condition that has placed the child’s life in jeopardy. The child’s physician determines whether a child is medically eligible to receive a wish.
* are older than 2½ and younger than 18 (at the time of referral);
* haven’t received a wish from another wish-granting organization.
It is important to note that the financial status of a family is never a factor in eligibility, and no child who meets our criteria is ever turned away.
To get the wish process started, please contact Joanie Johnston at (916) 437-0206, ext. 204 or jjohnston@necannv.wish.org.
Four-year-old Grayson, wished to go to Sanibel Island to collect seashells. This year, 10,000 wish kids and their families will travel for a Make-A-Wish experience. That’s 50,000 round trip tickets to get wish kids where they need to go. This April, donate air miles or dollars to help wish kids take flight.
