I thought the Make-A-Wish Foundation® was only for children diagnosed with terminal illnesses?

At what point during my child's treatment should we begin the wish process?

Who pays for my child's wish?

We have been fortunate financially, are we wrong to allow our child to accept a wish?

My child is doing well right now. If my child receives a wish will he or she be taking a wish away from a child who really needs it?

How do I find out what my child's wish is?

What types of wishes does the Make-A-Wish Foundation® fulfill?

What types of wishes does the Make-A-Wish Foundation® NOT fulfill?

Will the child's family be included in the wish?

What are the family's responsibilities during the wish granting process?

What if we plan something and my child gets sick right before the wish day? 

What if we need medical attention during the wish?

What do I have to do to see if my child is eligible for a wish?

 

I thought the Make-A-Wish Foundation® was only for children diagnosed with terminal illnesses?

The Make-A-Wish Foundation® fulfills wishes for ALL children with life-threatening medical conditions. This is an opportunity for renewed hope and spirit--a chance to enjoy childhood again. It is not intended as a last wish.

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At what point during my child's treatment should we begin the wish process?

Wishes are fulfilled when it is the best time-both medically and emotionally-for a child's family. Sometimes, a wish is granted at the beginning of treatment to provide hope and strength throughout a child's illness. Other times, it is scheduled at the midpoint of treatment to reward a child for being brave. Still others plan the wish experience at the end of the treatment period in order to give the child a goal to fight for. No matter when the wish is granted, it always serves its purpose of strength and hope.

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Who pays for my child's wish?

The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Orange County and the Inland Empire covers the entire cost of the wish experience.

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We have been fortunate financially, are we wrong to allow our child to accept a wish?
No. The Make-A-Wish Foundation® fulfills wishes of all types and we have access to many avenues not available to the general public. Thanks to our contacts, we're able to arrange unique trips, celebrity meetings and other special experiences that money simply cannot buy.

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My child is doing well right now. If my child receives a wish will he or she be taking a wish away from a child who really needs it?
The Make-A-Wish Foundation® has never turned away a child who is eligible for our program. Every child who qualifies will have his or her wish fulfilled. We do not "select" children or have a waiting list. Your child's participation will not prevent another child from receiving a wish.

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How do I find out what my child's wish is?
Wish Granters will come and meet your child and family. Wish Granters have been trained to work with your child and help to determine his or her wish. In the meantime, it's important that you allow your child to explore the different types of wishes. We hope you will encourage your child to wish for something that is truly special to them - without the influence of your own wish or that of a sibling.

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What types of wishes does the Make-A-Wish Foundation® fulfill?
The majority of wishes fall into one of four categories:

I wish to go...Trip wishes are the most common, and Make-A-Wish can fulfill a child's dream to visit a special place or to go somewhere he/she has always dreamed of.

I wish to be...Wish children often have dreams to be something, i.e. to be a policeman/woman, to be a star, to be a superhero, to be a princess, or to be a pirate. Make-A-Wish arranges opportunities for wish children to live their dream for a day.

I wish to meet... Make-A-Wish has arranged meetings with a variety of celebrities, including athletes, actors and actresses, singers, favorite bands, and even the President of the United States.

I wish to have...Make-A-Wish provides wish children with a variety of gifts such as computers, toys, re-decorated bedrooms, or shopping sprees.

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What wishes does Make-A-Wish NOT fulfill?
There are some wishes that Make-A-Wish cannot grant either due to national or local policies, liability, or the fact that it might impact our ability to fulfill the wishes of other children.
These include but are not limited to:
Gifts of designated sums of money;
Motorized vehicles (cars, go-carts, boats, etc.)
Wishes related to treatment or coverage of medical costs;
Wishes involving the gift of or use of firearms, explosives, or weapons;
Wishes that involve public solicitation (ex: most birthday cards ever, etc.);
Wishes that may create an ongoing financial burden to the family (ex: real estate improvements, etc.)

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Will the child's family be included in the wish?
The wish child's family is a very important part of the wish process, and your Wish Granters will do everything possible to make the wish memorable for everyone. Wish participants include immediate family only: Two parents or guardians, the wish child, and the child's siblings under the age of 18. A single parent may include a second adult, and a child with no siblings can invite a friend to participate in the wish. Any additional participants, due to unique situations, will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

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What are the family's responsibilities during the wish granting process?
Make-A-Wish takes care of everything from planning each detail of the wish and the itinerary, down to the smallest details, including spending money and transportation. Your only job is to enjoy your child's wish to the fullest!

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What if we plan something and my child gets sick right before the wish day? What if we need medical attention during the wish?
We understand that sometimes a wish will need to be rescheduled due to illness. The most important thing is for your child to know that we will reschedule the wish for when he or she is feeling better.

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What if we need medical attention during the wish?
Once in a while, a child gets sick during the wish itself and is not able to complete the wish experience. If this happens, we will work with your family and medical team to complete the wish at a more appropriate time. Wish team members and staff are on call 24 hours a day. In the event of an emergency, these individuals can be contacted for immediate assistance and/or re-scheduling of travel for an earlier return.

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What do I have to do to see if my child is eligible for a wish?
Feel free to speak with one of the medical professionals working with your child, or, you can call our office directly at 714.573.9474.