Week 35 of #52weeksofgiving - Make-A-Wish New Hampshire
Our week 35 spotlight for #52weeksofgiving is Make-A-Wish New Hampshire, which is on our minds after team member Hannah Wuerthner attended their fundraiser and wish announcement event at the Wentworth By The Sea Country Club last week.
After noticing a lump on his right temple, an MRI revealed that an egg-sized tumor had grown through Charlie’s skull, destroying the bone and compressing his brain’s temporal lobe. He immediately underwent surgery to remove a large tumor to relieve pressure on his brain. Charlie was ultimately diagnosed with Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), a very rare form of blood cancer. He would need to undergo 52 weeks of chemotherapy.
During treatments, Charlie learned he would be granted a wish through Make-A-Wish New Hampshire. When Charlie was 3, he loved superheroes, Star Wars, and construction trucks. So he knew right away what he wanted most: To build his very own lightsaber at Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge at Disney World!
Last Thursday, a celebration was thrown in Charlie’s honor. He arrived via limousine in full Star Wars attire and learned that after treatment delays and Covid, his wish was coming true! As the crowd yelled “Abracadabra!” on three, the Star Wars theme music began to play, and out came some very special guests to let Charlie know that his wish was being granted and that they would see him soon at Galaxy’s Edge.
We are so happy that Charlie and his family will be able to enjoy this well-deserved experience, and we hope he has a blast hanging out with Darth Vader and Boba Fett!
You’re probably familiar with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and their incredible work making children’s dreams come true, so read on to learn more about how you can help!
About Make-A-Wish New Hampshire
The Make-A-Wish Foundation aims “to grant the wish of every child diagnosed with a critical illness.” The nonprofit believes that a wish come true can show a child that anything is possible and gives them the strength to fight harder against their illnesses.
Make-A-Wish was inspired by 7-year-old Christopher James Greicius, who was battling leukemia in 1980. His Phoenix community came together to grant his wish of becoming a police officer. Shortly after, Make-A-Wish was born, and chapters began forming nationwide. Make-A-Wish now has a global presence!
So, do wishes really make a difference?
There are even a growing number of studies about the impact a wish has on the quality of life, health care utilization, and physical and emotional health of young patients. So far, two studies have found that:
Patients who received a wish were likelier to have fewer unplanned hospital and ER visits.
Wishes increased hope and improved their overall health by creating “an experience of achieving the impossible.”
In New Hampshire alone, an estimated 112 children are diagnosed with a critical illness each year. That’s why individual chapters like Make-A-Wish New Hampshire are crucial: To ensure a strong team of staff members, board members, volunteers, and donors to help as many kids as possible!
Wishes can include a child’s dream vacation to Disney, a new pet/service animal, equipment for their favorite pastime, and so much more. For example, Make-A-Wish New Hampshire helped a pre-teen set up his fully-equipped music studio to record his own tracks. They’ve also provided kids with equipment that allows them to live life to the fullest, such as one little girl who wished for a track chair or another who requested an adaptive swing. The opportunities are endless, and Make-A-Wish always finds a way!
Get Involved with Make-A-Wish New Hampshire
Make-A-Wish New Hampshire relies on the support of their volunteers and donors to continue giving hope to children battling critical illnesses.
If you’d like to volunteer with Make-A-Wish New Hampshire, there are many ways to share your time and talents while helping create unforgettable experiences for wish kids. You can even choose when and how you’ll participate. Whether you’re a Wish Granter helping to bring wishes to life or decide to use your expertise as a Skill-Based Volunteer, you’ll be rewarded with the joy of making a difference in children’s lives.
You can also donate to Make-A-Wish New Hampshire through:
Planned Giving
Circle of Stars and Wishes Society, an annual giving commitment
In-Kind Gifts (e.g., frequent flyer miles, hotel loyalty points, building materials, new electronics, etc.)
Adopt-A-Wish: Invest in a child’s wish to be granted in honor of you, your organization, or your group.
Car Donation
Products and Promotions: Check out ways to support Make-A-Wish through your purchases or participation in corporate giving programs.
Stock Donation
Learn more about how to get involved with Make-A-Wish New Hampshire, or find out how to refer a child with a wish.
And remember to follow them on Instagram @makeawish_nh or Facebook to keep up with their latest wish-granting!