Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Southwestern Ontario
We grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions
to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.
Fact Sheet

MISSION

We grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.

VISION

To grow wish granting in Southwestern Ontario so every eligible child has the opportunity to have their wish fulfilled.

VALUES

The stated values of the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Canada create principles and ideals that we adopt and strive to achieve. Values form the nucleus of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Canada's standards and philosophy. They can be best remembered by their acronym “PRIDE”
  • PASSION - Compassion, Fun, Hope Joy
  • RESPECT - Trust
  • INTEGRITY - Ethical, Professional, Honesty, Accountability
  • DEDICATION - Commitment
  • EXCELLENCE - Innovation, Quality, Strength

POSITIONING STATEMENT

The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Southwestern Ontario is a dynamic wish granting organization that brings hope, strength and joy to children across Southwestern Ontario who are facing life-threatening medical conditions. Community-based volunteers ensure wishes are granted responsibly and to the highest ethical standards. As part of an international family, we stand together to ensure every eligible child has the opportunity to have his or her wish fulfilled.

HISTORY

  • The Make-A-Wish Foundation® was founded in 1980 in Phoenix, Arizona. The inspiration for the beginnings of Make-A-Wish was a wish granted to Christopher Greicius by members of the Arizona Highway Patrol. Christopher, who had leukemia, wished to become a police officer.
  • In 1983, the Make-A-Wish Foundation granted the first wish in Canada to 13-year-old Debbie, who was battling leukemia. Debbie wished to go to Germany with her family to visit her grandparents.
  • The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Southwestern Ontario was established in 1986. Our first wish was granted to Ziyad, a nine-year-old boy whose health was deteriorating to a point where he could no longer speak or write. His wish was for a computer, which he eventually used to communicate.
  • In 2004 we established our chapter's Satellite office in Windsor, Ontario.

WISHES

  • The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southwestern Ontario has granted over 840 wishes since our inception in 1986.
  • Of the 84 wishes we granted in 2009: 55 per cent were wishes to go to Walt Disney World® Resort, 16 per cent were wishes to travel outside of Canada, 15 per cent were product/other wishes, six per cent were wishes to travel within Canada, three per cent were electronic wishes, three per cent were wishes to meet celebrities, one per cent were shopping spree wishes and one per cent were wishes to go to Disneyland® Resort.
  • In 2010 we have already granted 50 wishes. Currently we are working with over 100 families at various stages of the wish process.
  • Our wish granting territory includes the following counties: Brant, Bruce, Dufferin, Elgin, Essex, Grey, Haldimand-Norfolk, Huron, Kent, Lambton, Middlesex, Oxford, Perth, Waterloo, and Wellington.
  • Each wish is unique, but generally wishes fall into one of four categories--I wish to go, I wish to be, I wish to have or I wish to meet.
  • We include the entire family in the wish experience.
  • Costs for wishes vary depending on the type and complexity of the wish, but the average cost of a wish is between $7000 - $8000.
  • We are grateful for the generosity of individuals and corporations who assist us with the products and services needed for our wishes.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Kids For Wish Kids® is a program that takes the concept of wish granting into elementary and secondary schools, colleges and universities. Through creating their own fund-raising initiatives, students can learn about and become motivated by the opportunity to help support a child with a life-threatening medical condition.

CONTACT US

To learn more about the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southwestern Ontario, please contact our office.