A Message from Jason Evanson - National Director, Development at Children's Wish
It’s been an exciting year at Children’s Wish. After three decades focused on granting the wishes of children with
life-threatening illnesses, Children’s Wish is now expanding its reach to include children with serious neurological and genetic diagnoses, like severe cerebral palsy. These are children with complex care and mobility challenges who are often largely or fully dependent on their families for their day-to-day activities.
Why are we making this change? The answer is simple: because physicians have told us it is needed. Advances in medicine and technology are making it possible for children with these diagnoses to survive into young adulthood. But while science may have extended their lives, these children face incredible challenges as they struggle with the need for constant care and hospitalization, as well as severe disabilities and delays in their development. From our field work and discussions with the medical community, we know there is a real and urgent need to provide joy and relief to these children and their families.
Dr. Jeremy Friedman, Associate Pediatrician-in-Chief at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children advises the Children’s Wish Medical Advisory Committee on wish eligibility criteria. He played a crucial part in helping Children’s Wish expand our mission to include this new population of complex care children. “These children need 24-hour care and are usually in and out of the hospital,” Dr. Friedman explains. “The impact on these children and families when they experience joy, laughter and happy memories is just as profound as any wish Children’s Wish has ever granted.”
Madelyn, age six, has severe cerebral palsy. She recently traveled to Disney World with Children’s Wish to meet her favorite character, Mary Poppins. One of Mady’s Mom’s fondest memories was seeing her daughter so cheerful and lively. She says, “During their visit, Mady didn’t have a single seizure. She just kept laughing and looking at Mary Poppins.”
We have had over 200 new eligible referrals for these children this year, add those to steeply increasing demand for our usual wishes and we’ve experienced a 22% increase in requests year over year! To ensure that we are able to fund all wishes we launched the More Wishes More Wonders Campaign on October 29.
Learn more by visiting their website.
Today, Children’s Wish stands at a pivotal and exciting point in our history. The face of childhood illness is changing, and Children’s Wish is leading the way into the future. As we reach this milestone, it is hard to imagine what we would do without those who generously support us year after year. Cole International and The Cole Charitable Foundation have played such a vital part in ensuring that our important work grows. Your incredible commitment and dedication to our cause has allowed us to meet our current needs while affording us the opportunity to think bigger, respond to changes in pediatric medicine, and to plan for the long term. Thanks to you, growing numbers of children and families will know the power of a wish!
When thinking about Cole International's contributions over the last 10 years, I’m struck by the profound impact that you’re having on children with life threatening illnesses. I’m reminded of Fairy Godmothers and Godfathers; people with the power to make dreams come true. That’s you.
Watch this video now to hear how Emily says you have helped to give the magic of a wish.
That’s something to be proud of!