These organizationsprovide chronically or seriously ill children and their families the opportunity to have a dream come true. Wishes usually fall into one of three categories: trips, celebrity meetings or a special item. Most organizations listed below grant wishes to children between the ages of 3 and 18, exceptions are noted on our listing below. It is important to let the child choose their wish, apart from the influence of others, because most organizations allow a child to have only one wish granted.
The following listing was provided by The American Brain Tumor Association. Neither they nor the Karen Wyckoff Rein In Sarcoma Foundation endorse any of the organizations listed, nor guarantee that individuals will qualify for the services they provide. Please contact each organization for their specific guidelines.
For Children and Young Adults
Planet Cancer for Young Adults
Planet Cancer is an online community of young adults with cancer. (You know, that age between "pediatric" and "geriatric," where no one knows whether to give you a lollipop or have a serious talk about your fiber intake.) It's a place to share insights, explore our fears, laugh, or even give “the finger” to cancer with others who just plain get it. We don't deny the dark side of illness and death here. But we also firmly believe that laughter and light can turn up in the strangest places.
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Believe in Tomorrow National Children’s Foundation
800-933-5470
Provides a variety of programs and services to children with life-threatening illness including hands on adventures, dream surfer Web site, and retreat housing in various locations throughout the United States, free of charge
Children’s Wish Foundation
800-323-WISH
Children under the age of 18 with a life threatening illness. Grants final wishes.
Head to Hollywood
A non-profit program that provides comfort and escape to survivors of cancerous and noncancerous brain tumors by giving them an all-access-pass inside a world usually reserved for celebrities -- including attendance at Hollywood events and parties, VIP access to television and movie sets, personal meetings with stars, as well as access to celebrity spa and beauty.
Kids Wish Network
888-918-9004
Grants wishes to children ages 3-18 with a life-threatening illness.
Lighthouse Family Retreat
678-290-2955
Provides a seaside family retreat for children with cancer and their families at no charge.
Make-a-Wish Foundation
800-722-WISH
Grants wishes to children, 18 and younger with a life-threatening medical condition.
Marty Lyons Foundation
(212) 977-9474
Provides wishes to children ages 3-17 who have been diagnosed as having a terminal or chronic life threatening illness.
Memories of Love
800-625-1566
The Memories of Love vacation is provided to parents who are living with a life threatening medical condition. The focus is on helping them create joyful family memories for them and their children. The vacation includes a six day vacation to Orlando as well as tickets to local theme parks, food vouchers and $200 for any out of pocket expenses.
Wishing Well Foundation USA
888-ONE-WISH
Provide children with life threatening illness with their fondest wish in life.
United Special Sportsmen Alliance
800-518-8019
A non-profit Christian organization that coordinates with other agencies to grant terminally ill and disabled children and youth an outdoor adventure of their dreams
WISH FULLFILLMENT ORANIZATIONS FOR ADULTS
Compassion Partners
(407) 396-6065
Provides admission to several parks in Central Florida including Disney Theme Parks, Sea World, Universal Studios Orlando and Busch Gardens. Passes are available for those facing a life-threatening or terminal illness and their family members as well.
The Dream Foundation
805-564-2131
Grants final wishes to terminally ill adults over the age of 18.
Forever Young
901-299-7515
A non-profit organization whose purpose is to reach out to residents of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, hospice programs, home-bound individuals and adult day care facilities, regardless of age, to help make their dreams come true.
Never Too Late
(317) 823-4705
A non-profit organization that grants wishes to the elderly (over 65) or to those that have a terminal illness. They will also grant wishes to a permanent nursing home resident regardless of their age.
Reeling and Healing Midwest
866-237-5725
A non-profit organization that hosts several fly-fishing retreats for women and men with cancer throughout the year. Also offer a retreat for family, friends and caregivers once each year as well.
Second Wind Dreams
678-624-0500
A non-profit organization that grants wishes to older adults living in eldercare facilities or in hospice care. They have granted wishes throughout the United States, Canada as well as India.
Sunset Wish Foundation
336-978-WISH
Provides wishes to adults 18 years and older who have a prognosis of less than one year. Must be a resident of the United States.
