Make-A-Wish® Foundation of Greater Pennsylvania and Southern West Virginia

About Us

Our Mission

The Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Greater Pennsylvania and Southern West Virginia grants wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.

How it all began

The Make-A-Wish Foundation^® was founded in 1980 in Phoenix, Arizona. A small group of people there helped a very ill little boy achieve his wish - to be a state trooper for a day. From that one wish made 31 years ago, more than 250,000 wishes have been granted throughout 62 chapters in the United States and in 36 countries around the world.

Your Make-A-Wish Chapter

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Pennsylvania and Southern West Virginia was founded in May 1983 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Bryan was a seven-year-old cancer patient who wanted to visit his favorite uncle in Texas for one of his famous piggy-back rides. Today, the chapter has granted more than 12,500 wishes. We are the first chapter in the world to fulfill more than 700 wishes in one year.

More Than Just a Nice Experience

Until recently, we just knew anecdotally that wishes renewed outlooks and changed lives. But now - through a study commissioned by the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of America -- we have hard numbers and statistics. We now have the results that transform the wish from a ‘nice to have' to a ‘need to have' experience for a child and their family.

Based on the results of surveys and analyses conducted by an independent consulting firm, a wish is a powerful force in their battle against a life-threatening medical condition. By an overwhelming majority, after a wish is granted:

• Wish parents say a wish makes kids feel stronger and more energetic;
• Health care professionals say that a wish experience influences a child's physical health
• Wish kids describe the wish experience as a turning point in their fight against their illness;
• Wish kids are less isolated from friends and feel like normal kids again;
• Wish families - often strained by stresses of the illness - are repaired and strengthened;
• Wish parents report feelings of hope and optimism replace fear and stress.
  

Recent Awards and Accolades

October 2011
The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Pennsylvania and Southern West Virginia was presented with the Outstanding Chapter Achievement Award at the 2011 National Make-A-Wish Conference in Phoenix, AZ. The chapter also received a Katie Award in recognition of its efforts in growing a local donor into a national partnership.

October 2010
Our chapter was named one of the Best Places to Work in Western Pennsylvania by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The Foundation ranked 8th out of all 61 finalists after employees completed an online survey.

June 2010

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater PA and Southern WV received the Good Neighbor Award on behalf of State Farm and the Pittsburgh Pirates.

January 2009
During its 25th anniversary year, the Make-A-Wish Foundation granted its 10,000th wish to Jacob of Connellsville, PA,  who wanted to be a Pittsburgh Penguins player for a day.

May 2008
The Make-A-Wish Foundation begins a year-long celebration of its 25th Anniversary. The first wish was granted in 1983.To read more, please click here.

December 2007
Dr. Thomas Starzl, noted transplant pioneer and longtime Make-A-Wish supporter, receives the Bryan P. McClinton Award for his work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The award was bestowed at the annual UPMC-sponsored Make-A-Wish Carnival.

November 2007
Volunteer Virginia "Ginny" Kortz receives the Volunteer of the Year Award from the Reitred and Senior Volunteer Program (RSPV) in Pittsburgh.

September 2007
Outstanding Performance Award from the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America. Awarded to the top chapter in its category (large markets)

May 2007
Recognized by the Pittsburgh Business Times for being the best Pittsburgh-area charity at keeping costs low on special events

October 2006
Anthony L. Bucci Excellence in Communications Ethics Award given by Duquesne University to Vice President of Communications Ann Hohn

September 2006
Power of One Award from the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America. Awarded to the top performing chapter

Stella! the Make-A-Wish Mascot 

Stella!, the newest member of the Make-A-Wish family, was delivered in the summer of 2008 and is the newest celebrity in town.  She has become so popular with our donors, volunteers and wish families that it is impossible to keep up with her appearances, including our December Light Up A Child's Life campaign.   A special thank-you to the Stella! Brigade, our fleet of star drivers who escort our new superstar to all of her Pittsburgh-area appearances.

Become a Make-A-Wish Facebook Fan

Check out our chapter's Facebook page, which was recently updated with new wish stories, wish kid and event photos, wish art, event listings and a personal story from four wish kid interns, who are now healthy young adults.