Sarah Ford | May 19, 2014

New Book Reveals the Celebrity Connection to Wish Kids

Last year, 14,003 kids received a Make-A-Wish experience. More than 1,100 of those wishes involved a celebrity or athlete.

Think about that for a moment: A celebrity’s schedule is packed. They are constantly in the public eye. Yet more than 1,100 gave some of the children we serve a gift beyond price: their time. Though I’ve been with Make-A-Wish since 2005, I’m always grateful and amazed by what celebrities do for wish kids.

Just a few weeks ago, I enjoyed reading a recently published book about celebrities who have transformed the lives of wish kids. Wish Granted: 25 Stories of Strength and Resilience from America’s Favorite Athletes focuses on athletes who grant wishes. It reminded me of what wish experiences mean not just to the children, but also to the athletes who grant them. The book provides the poignant backstory of the profound impact these individuals have had in the lives of thousands of wish kids. And likewise, the residual effect a wish experience has on everyone involved – including the athlete.

The aspect of Wish Granted that affected me most was the compassion and responsibility each of the athletes feel for every wish kid they met. You can tell that they care deeply about the child, the family and the wish experience. But they care not only because their generosity can make a difference in a child’s battle against their illness. They care, too, because the act of granting a wish infuses an incredible sense of perspective. 

>> Continue Reading

Get Resources and Insights Straight To Your Inbox

Explore More Articles

Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

July 18, 2025

July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the unique mental health challenges faced by minority communities. It’s an…

Read Article

International Self Care Day

July 18, 2025

Today, July 24, 2025, we celebrate International Self Care Day, a day dedicated to promoting self-care practices and their numerous benefits for physical, mental, and…

Read Article
How the “Big Beautiful Bill” Will Impact Individual Giving and Employer-Sponsored Workplace Giving Programs

How the “Big Beautiful Bill” Will Impact Individual Giving and Employer-Sponsored Workplace Giving Programs

July 14, 2025

The One Big Beautiful Bill was signed into law on July 4, 2025, introducing a range of provisions that will affect how individuals, companies, and…

Read Article

Get Resources and Insights Straight To Your Inbox

Receive our monthly/bi-monthly newsletter filled with information about causes, nonprofit impact, and topics important for corporate social responsibility and employee engagement professionals, including disaster response, workplace giving, matching gifts, employee assistance funds, volunteering, scholarship award program management, grantmaking, and other philanthropic initiatives.

newsletter-mock