Testimonials
THANK YOU FOR MAKING MATT'S WISH COME TRUE!
I just wanted to share a picture of Matt with the wish he received. You can't believe the happiness it brings us to see him smile and truly enjoy something. There aren't too many things in this world that get his interest and make him smile and be content but the hot tub has really done that. A picture says a thousand words and you can see the happiness in his picture attached.
It's exciting to see him grab his bathing suit and towl and take you to the door so you know he wants to go into the hot tub. He really never asks for much other than different types of food. So it's really neat to see him want to do and be a part of something.
Thank you and all who made his wish possible. This is a wonderful program. It has really touched all of our lives in such a positive way and has truly enhanced the quality of Matt's life.
Thank you.
Dave and Maria
Sadie's Hawaiian Vacation
Dear Make-A-Wish Foundation,
Our family would like to say thank you to you and everyone that has helped to make this trip one that we will never forget. Thank you to Amy Kane and everyone in the Wilkes-Barre Regional Office and to Sadie's volunteers, Frank Maher and Debbie Reese, for so much care (the boxes were GREAT). This trip gave us something to look forward to and helped us realize that life could feel normal again. A week after we returned, Sadie had another round of chemo, but we felt like we could handle whatever we needed to do. Spending the day at the hospital has never gone by so fast, as we got to show the nurses and doctors the beautiful pictures of Hawaii. Thank you for showing us people really do care and that we CAN do this, one day at a time!
Sincerely,
Sadie's Family
ELIZABETH'S MAGICAL DISNEY WISH
Dear Make-A-Wish Foundation:
We would like to take this time and thank eve
ryone at the Make-A-Wish Foundation. My daughter’s name is Elizabeth, and she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in May of 2004. Elizabeth just recently decided to make her dream come true. Elizabeth’s wish was to meet Ariel.
Mindy and Kelly were Elizabeth’s Make-A-Wish volunteers. They were just wonderful to the whole family. Mindy and Kelly both took time out of their schedules to meet with us on Sundays and get to know Elizabeth by playing on her swing set and playing board games with her. Elizabeth has met wonderful people at the Make-A-Wish Foundation and her memories will last forever. Everyone at the Foundation has been wonderful to all of us.
We stayed at Give Kids the World Village, which was just as magical as the Walt Disney World® Resort. The people at Disney World were just so pleasant and wonderful to Elizabeth and made her feel like a princess the whole entire time we were there visiting. Elizabeth loved Ariel’s Grotto and spending some time with Ariel. She was just amazed by everything in Ariel’s Grotto and the whole Disney adventure. One word could not express our gratitude to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Thank you for everything you have done for Elizabeth and her family. DREAMS DO COME TRUE with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The experience was magnificent.
Sincerely yours,
Elizabeth's family
WISHES ARE THE BEST MEDICINE
Dear Make-A-Wish Foundation®,
As a doctor I can take a history, perform a physical exam, make a diagnosis, and prescribe therapies or medications. The Make-A-Wish Foundation is able to do for my patients what I cannot - give them an incredible wish of their choice that allows them to experience the joys of being a child. Many of my patients have wished to go to Disney World, and the trips they have taken have truly been unforgettable. Your organization and the organizations/Individuals you partner with to provide wishes have treated my patients and their families with unbelievable kindness, respect and generosity. I have never heard a negative comment from any of my patients/families about their Make-A-Wish adventure, be it a trip to Disney World, a visit with their favorite movie star or a local shopping spree. In fact, the first time I see a child after their wish is spent hearing fantastic stories of the trip, looking at pictures and watching them laugh.
Thank you again for everything you do to help children who are fighting for their lives enjoy a little bit of childhood. Your organization has helped my patients in ways that medicine cannot.
Sincerely,
Sylvia Choi, MD FAAP
The Paul C. Gaffney Diagnostic Referral Service
Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
"The Make-A-Wish Foundation showed me a glimmer of the good I knew had to be out there in the world."
Katie
Wish: Online Shopping Spree
'LIKE STEPPING INTO A FAIRY TALE'
"I want to say "thank you" for our wonderful trip. It was a week that took us away from thinking about doctors appointments and hospital stays. It was like stepping out of our stressed life and into a fairy tale. Owen got to meet so many characters and he got all of their autographs, which he will cherish for the rest of his life....The staff at Give Kids the World were so pleasant and eager to meet our every need. I was so impressed with them. It is an awesome thing that the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Give Kids the World do! My family's hope is that more people find out about these two organizations. What you do for children with severe health problems is give them a "HOPE" and let them know that they are 'LOVED' by not only their families, but by many. I will be sure to use my voice and let everyone know what great things come from these two organizations and encourage people to give and to make more DREAMS COME TRUE!"
Owen's Mom
Wish: To go to Disney World
"Having the whole family together after Mark's illness only made the trip more memorable. We can't thank you enough for all you have done for Mark and our family."
Mark's Family
Wish: To go to the 2009 Pro-Bowl
"Wow, where should I start? The memories are always fresh in our minds and hearts. The best thing that happened was Madison is so much more alive since Disney World. She isn't quiet and shy anymore, and she has become a whole lot more active. Thank You!"
Madison's Mom
Wish: To meet Belle in Disney World
"I can't say enough good things about your foundation. What could be more worthwhile than giving enjoyment, relief and hope to these unfortunate but resilient children and their families? Not much."
Peter H. Shaw, MD
Division of Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
"Thanks for all that you have done for us. You are our angels."
Kara's Family
Wish: To go on a Disney Cruise
"My basement [game room] is amazing. Thanks for all of the time you spent with me to help me figure out all the details for my new game room. I greatly appreciate all that you did." Ben
Wish: Redecoration of Game Room
"One smile for one second makes volunteering with the Make-A-Wish Foundation a true life-altering privilege."
Pauline Follmer
Berks County volunteer
"It's hard to describe but a degree of 'healing' and closure to the trauma of medical events, disease and despair that has ruled so much of our lives in the past 2½ to 3 years. This was a genuine celebration of TRIUMPH and perseverance and the treasure of being a 'normal' kid."
Perry's Family
Wish: To own a Fisher Price Harley Davidson Motorcyle
"(As health care professionals), while we focus on optimizing health and recovery related to our individual areas of expertise, it is important for us to acknowledge and support the needs of our patients and families in non-medical settings. I know that telling patients and families that roller-coast rides may be OK for our cardiology patients creates some angst for the cardiologist, but it creates unlimited joy for our patients."
Bradley B. Keller, MD
Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
"From the time Tom settled on his wish his energy level and outlook became 'happy.' He looked forward for the first time in many months. After his wish was realized, he still looked forward, to learning the computer games, to playing with what he calls 'big boy toys."
Tom's Mom
Wish: To go on a shopping spree
"We had a very stressful year. There were times when looking forward to the Make-A-Wish trip was the only thing that kept our son going. Our trip was a true family adventure that I couldn't have planned better."
Robert's Mom
Wish: Trip to Mexico
"For one week, Lukas had something to look forward to - other than medication administration, central line care, gastrostomy tube care and the never ending cycle of pain. His family will never forget the great time they all had with Lukas during the trip. It will live in their memories forever. . . . The value of fulfilling a child's dreams, particularly one who is very ill . . . is a noble service. I cannot say more about this exceptional organization."
Ram Chandra, MD
Pediatric and Adolescent Gastroenterology
"Julia's wish trip to Disney World created lifelong memories for our family and a time of joy for Julia, who endures so much."
Julia's Family
Wish: Trip to Walt Disney World® Resort
Spot Says… Friends and family are our biggest referral source. Do you know a child who might qualify?
Natoli, 7, Hollywood Trip
