Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Does “life-threatening” mean “terminal?”
A. No! The Make-A-Wish Foundation^® has sometimes been incorrectly portrayed as an organization that grants wishes to children who are terminally ill. Our eligibility criteria stipulate that a child must be diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition, not a terminal condition. Many wish kids go on to lead fulfilling lives after their Make-A-Wish^® experience. The wish process is a way to honor the difficult journey they’re going through and the courage they’ve shown to face it. It’s a very life-affirming process that enriches the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Our wish children who are now adults would attest to this!

Q. Who is eligible for a wish?
A. To be eligible for a wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a child must be between the ages of two-and-a-half and under the age of 18 years at the time of referral and have a life-threatening medical condition that will be verified by their physician. Any child who has already been granted a wish by the Make-A-Wish Foundation or another wish-granting organization is not eligible for a second wish.

Q. Are a family’s income or financial resources considered?
A. The income of a family plays no part in determining a child’s eligibility for a wish.

Q. What can a child wish for?
A. Wishes typically fall into one of four categories

• An experience wish: I wish to be… a ballerina, a model, a superhero, a police officer…
• A travel wish: I wish to go… to Orlando, Hawaii, Europe, on a cruise……
• A celebrity wish: I wish to meet… a sports idol, a favorite band, a movie star….
• An object wish: I wish to have… a shopping spree, room makeover, my very own computer…

All wishes must be appropriate for your child’s age and medical condition. The Foundation will make every effort to make your child’s primary wish come true; however, we do ask that the child have a secondary choice in mind in the event that we cannot grant the first one.

Q. Are there restrictions on a wish?
A. A wish is limited only by the child’s imagination. To be sure that each child gains the maximum benefit of a wish experience, we work with the child’s physician to determine the appropriateness and the timing of the wish.

Q. Who can refer a child for a wish?
A. Referring a child for a wish is one of the most important parts of helping the Foundation accomplish its mission. The road to a joyful wish experience starts when a caring person refers a child to the Foundation. 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

Q. Are all wishes publicized?
A. No, families can choose whether they will allow publicity of the wish. We always respect their need for privacy.

Q. What if a child has special medical needs during a wish?
A. If a child has special medical needs during a wish, they are discussed with the physician and family beforehand and provided for by the Foundation as needed.

Q. Does the Make-A-Wish Foundation telemarket?
A. The Make-A-Wish Foundation does not, under any circumstances, engage telemarketers to raise money, despite sometimes being confused with other organizations that do. In fact, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has a nationwide policy against telephone and door-to-door solicitation. There are a number of other sound-alike organizations – some also with “wish” in their names. The Make-A-Wish Foundation has no affiliation with any other wish-granting organization. If you receive a call from someone asking for a donation, that person does not represent the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Q. Can I donate my airline mileage to the Make-A-Wish Foundation?
A. Yes! Your donation of airline mileage can help us grant thousands of travel wishes. To donate your miles, please click here.
Q. Can my financial contribution be tax deductible?
A. Yes. The Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. As such, financial contributions may be deductible for federal income tax purposes. Please consult with your financial advisor to determine the extent of tax deductibility.

Q. How do I refer a child?
A. Please click here to complete an online wish referral form or contact our chapter’s Director of Medical Relations at wishreferral@midatlantic.wish.org or at 877-599-9474.

Q. How do I become a volunteer?
A. Please click here to find out who your volunteer representative is in your region.

Q. Can I have a fundraiser to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic?
A. Yes! You can have an event or promotion of your own or get your friends, family, company, or community involved. To find out how, check out our Fundraising page.

Q. Does the Make-A-Wish Foundation participate in chain letter wishes?
A. No. Each day, the Make-A-Wish Foundation and its chapters receive hundreds of inquiries about chain letters claiming to be associated with the Foundation and featuring sick children. However, we do not participate in these kinds of wishes. Some names associated with these wishes are: Jessie Anderson, Shane Bernier, Chad Briody , Amy Bruce, Jeff DeLeon, Rhyan Desquetado, Anthony Hebrank, LaNisha Jackson, Nikisha Johnson, Craig Sheldon, Craig Shelford, Craig Shelton, Craig Sheppard, Craig Shergold, Bryan Warner and Kayla Wightman. Please click here if you’d like more information about chain letters.

If you have any additional questions not addressed here, please do not hesitate to contact us: 301-962-9474
info@midatlantic.wish.org