The Wish Process
Although each wish experience is unique for the child, their family, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation, there is a general procedure by which a child is referred, qualified, and granted a wish.

STEP 1 - The Wish Referral

To maintain the privacy and comfort of the families we serve, we only accept referrals from three sources:
  • Medical professionals treating the child-such as doctors, nurses, social workers or child-life specialists
  • A parent or legal guardian of the potential wish child
  • The potential wish child
As the Foundation understands and respects the privacy of each family, we do not accept referrals from other individuals such as extended family members or friends. Rather, we ask those well-meaning individuals to contact the family directly to introduce the idea of Make-A-Wish so they, in turn, can determine if and when they would like to refer their child.

To learn more about referring a child from Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland and Northern Virginia, please contact the Foundation’s Medical Intake & Outreach Manager Robyn Leenearts toll free at 1.877.599.9474.

If you are a qualified referral source and would like to make an initial referral online please click here.

STEP 2 – Determining Eligibility

A child with a life-threatening medical condition who has reached the age of 2-1/2 and is under the age of 18 at the time of referral, is potentially eligible for a wish.

In addition, a child cannot have received a wish from another Make-A-Wish Foundation chapter or any other wish-granting organization.

After a child is referred to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Foundation will contact the child’s treating physician to determine whether the child is medically eligible for a wish, based on the medical criteria established by the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of America. 

STEP 3 - Identifying the Wish

Once a child is confirmed as eligible, two specially trained Make-A-Wish volunteers will schedule a visit with the wish child and family. These enthusiastic and compassionate volunteers will get to know the child, help the family complete the required paperwork, and answer any questions the family has. Most importantly, the volunteers will ask the child one special question: “If you could have one wish, what would it be?” 

Usually, wishes are limited only by a child’s imagination. Most wishes fall into four main categories:

To Have – This wish often includes wishing to have something like a puppy, computer, party, or a shopping spree.

To Go – This is our most popular wish.  Many of our children wish to visit Walt Disney World® Resort. The main theme for this type of wish is often a family getaway.

To Meet – When a child would like to meet a personal hero or celebrity. Athletes, musicians, actors and other popular celebrities are often very accommodating and touched when they find out a child’s wish is to meet them.

To Be – Many wish children seek to live out their dream by becoming someone they hope to actually be as an adult. Whether it is assuming the role of a country music star or local fireman, these wishes are actualized in the most realistic details and setting, so the line between fantasy and reality is magically blurred.

STEP 4 – Granting the Wish

After the child paints a clear picture of what they would like to accomplish, required paperwork has been completed and the wish has been approved as medically appropriate by their doctor, our staff and volunteers set out to create a magical wish experience making every effort to involve the child’s family. The wish experience often touches dozens, and sometimes hundreds of people who either help coordinate or are directly involved in the wish.