Looking for a way to give back and share your blessings? Grant a child’s wish!

Make-A-Wish is a nonprofit organization founded in the United States. When a group of doctors saw how it’s making an impact to children battling critical illnesses, they decided to bring it to the Philippines. 

Abigail Arcangel, Make-A-Wish Philippines board trustee, shares that the very first wish they granted was that of Kristian Lanzar. Kristian was a 10-year old boy suffering from hemophilia, a medical condition that causes him to bleed severely at the slightest injury. His wish – sing a song to the world.

It was fulfilled in time for the new year celebration in 2000 when he sang with Regine Velasquez and 2,000 other children at the grand fountain of The Peninsula Manila. It was broadcasted live via satellite to 60 countries. 

Kristian’s wish to sing a song to the world won Best Wish of the Year International. For Make-A-Wish Philippines, it was an auspicious sign of great things to come.

“There are so many ways to help make wishes come true. We have corporate partners who collaborate with us for fundraising events, employee engagement programs, and cause marketing. We also have school partners advocating Kids for Wish Kids, where their students plan the activities from raising funds to conduct the wish grant,” Abigail said. 

Adopt-A-Wish on the other hand, is for individuals who want to celebrate milestones such as birthdays or anniversaries by giving back and sharing their blessings.

They also have wish-granters who use their creativity and resourcefulness to raise funds through holding garage sales, cosplaying, and selling goods. 

The average cost of a wish is P7,500 inclusive of the wished item, food, and other logistics. Children’s wishes usually fall under four categories: wish to be, wish to have, wish to go, and wish to meet. 

If you can’t support them through monetary funding, they’re more than happy to accept volunteers. “Volunteers are the lifeblood of Make-A-Wish Philippines. They can help in any step of the wish experience, depending on their availability and capability. We have volunteers as young as five years to older than 80 years and we all have fun,” said Cecille Candano, also a Make-A-Wish Philippines board trustee. 

Volunteers assist in events management and marketing requirements. 

Asked about the organization’s future plans, Cecille said that they’re aiming to establish local chapters in different areas nationwide to reach more children. 

“We are truly grateful for the support of our sponsors and volunteers for without you, we would not be able to fulfill our mission of creating life-changing wishes. Together, may we keep on transforming lives, one wish at a time.”

Want to know more about how you can help? Visit Make-A-Wish Philippines’ website. – Rappler.com

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