Our story hasn't even begun. We were chosen a year ago! 3 wishes we thought of- out the door! Lack of experience, excitement, energy and communication is this experience! What a shame. Still waiting on an End result which I'm thinking..... They're just waiting our living time runs out! Seriously disgusted with MAW!
Words can not express our gratitude for Make-A-Wish Arizona. My daughter, Pyper, had two of the most amazing wish granters, Peggy and Liz, who took the time to get to know Pyper and our family in finding out what Pyper's wish was. They had a great reveal party for her that fit her personality and leading up to her wish kept sending little surprises to help keep her excitement up! Pyper's wish was to go to Disney, where we were sent to Disney World in Orlando. Make-A-Wish Arizona took every little detail into account to ensure we had the most magical time, with another HUGE thank you to Pyper's wish manager, Matthew Wall!!! Pyper has not stopped talking about it since we arrived home this past Saturday, especially since she was able to meet her most favorite princess of all, Cinderella! And without any spoilers, the cast members at Disney were so amazing in accommodating Pyper and our family, most of them would just notice our pass and make a wish buttons and immediately took care of us ❤ My favorite part was getting to watch my baby girl happier than ever after such a hard year in 2018 while she recieved chemo for her Kaposiform Hemangioendothelioma! Thank you so much Make-A-Wish Arizona, we will forever be grateful for all that you did for our family and for what you do for all wish kids!!!!
This organization is run like a well-oiled machine. The training that I received as a volunteer was worthwhile and relevant. The staff is tremendously supportive and most importantly, caring about the mission. I can’t say enough positive comments about my experience and Make-A-Wish AZ as a whole. I am truly grateful to be a wish granter!
Make-A-Wish Arizona is one of the best organizations I've volunteered with. Their volunteer and program teams are so kind and intentional both to those they serve and those who help serve! Highly recommend spending your time and money here. :)
Hawaii (the big island) we were taken care of from the drive to the airport and also when we got off. Every step of the way we were offered assistance from the Hawaiian make a wish and Arizona to make sure we were having a wonderful time and found things to do, besides our excursions we had planned.
Thank you so much for everything you do and did for us.
Make A Wish truly cares. They want to give hope and happiness to children who have struggles and suffered with their illnesses. They do that. I love that. That’s why I became a volunteer to be a part of something so wonderful!
I have been a wish grant for a number of years! I get much more from the kids I help get their one true wish, then they get! From the initial meeting to the return from their wish no mater if it’s a far away travel or a shopping spree right here! The smiles, hugs and photos are so precious!
My son was granted a wish to go to Hawaii and see his two cousins, Aunt and Uncle. This was such an amazing experience that was put together by MAW and created an experience that will never be forgotten by our family! Kendrick loves his wish so much that, he wants to move to Hawaii and live there forever. He got to feel free from the weekly doctor’s appts, PT sessions, and hours sitting in the car traveling back and forth. Kendrick for the first time in his life got to feel like most kids, only worried about fighting over a toy that his brother or cousins had that he wanted to play with, haha. Dad and I for the first time since Kendrick was born only had to focus on just being with our family and nothing else! We have to worry about making all of Kendrick’s doctors appts fitting together, medications, surgeries, schooling, equipment modifications, jobs, money, and trying to have our kids live a normal life. The week we spent in Hawaii lifted all of these struggles away for at least a week and it was like hitting a reset button on our families mental health. We can’t thank Make-A-Wish enough for how much this wish helped our family. Kendrick has talk about his wish to all his preschool classmates, teachers, his doctors, PT, Other family members, and random people he meets. We are very thankful for all the people that helped make this possible for our family.
Mi hijo se llama Nicolás tiene wolf-hircshhorn syndrome. En Noviembre pasado Makewish le concedió el deceo a Nicolás de conocer a su cantante favorito. Pitbull. Fuimos a Miami. Estuvimos aya por 4 días. Todo fue muy bonita experiencia. Muchas gracias Makewish por hacerle realidad el sueño a mi niño.
Make-A-Wish Arizona is an awesome organization!
Make-A-Wish of Arizona made it possible for my son, who has cerebral palsy, to have a wonderful childhood memory while going through a very difficult and often painful time in his life.
The volunteers were all so welcoming and friendly - well organized and responsive.
Anybody thinking of supporting Make-A-Wish should know that it makes amazing differences in these children's lives!
Thank you Make-A-Wish!!!
Make a Wish Foundation has made a huge difference in the life of my daughter. She finished chemotherapy in May. She has an optic glioma because of NF-1. The visits from our wish grantees, Dave and Heidi, during treatment, brightened her life. We are leaving Sunday on a Disney Cruise and we are counting the days. I will always be so grateful to you. Thank you for this amazing gift.
Our son Renan was 11 when he was diagnosed with leukemia. It was devastating to our whole family and something we never thought we would hear. That very day he would start his treatments.
It was hard for Renan to be away from his family and home while he was at the hospital so he would ask them to come see him each night he was there.
After several months went by, we were told that he could be a part of Make a Wish. It made such a huge difference to him, having something really fun to look forward to. It was also really important to him that it would be something that his family could do together.
One day when Renan was watching TV, he saw a commercial for the new Alauni resort in Hawaii and decided right then that it was where he wanted to go! Everything was planned, and the the whole family was going! Renan loved it and we all have such special memories of being there together.
Renan’s wish helped him get through the hardest thing he’s ever had to face. We are so grateful to Make a Wish for granting wishes and making such a huge difference in the life of our son.
I had a Wish Kid that wanted to meet the Pope. It wasnt a I want to meet the Pope. It was I NEED to meet the Pope. His entire is so incredible it would bring tears to your eyes.....I guarantee it!!!
Previous Stories
I have done volunteer work for many years with other organizations. Make A Wish is by far my favorite. People ask me all the time how do I do it. Working with very ill children. I tell them mom and dad have to have them do all the bad stuff, treatments..etc. the Dr. and nurses the same. I get to being in all the fun! I am their fairy God mother. I get to grant their ONE TRUE WISH. How much better than that be. I absolutely LOVE volunteering with Make A Wish.
Hi my name is Angie Diaz Malanche. My 14 year old daughter Imani was diagnosed last year with a rare blood disease called PNH. Imani’s bone marrow has been destroyed by this disease. She goes twice a week to the hospital for observation and blood and platelet transfusions. Currently we are searching for a match for a bone marrow for Imani.
This past summer through this wonderful organization Make A Wish AZ, my daughter and our entire family of 8 were spoiled with a trip to Guam. Imani’s Wish was to go to Guam to say thank you to every family member that fundraised and continues to support her through her illness. Without Imani’s wish and Make a Wish granting such a wish there would’ve never been a way for my family to afford such a trip. Just to see the smile on my daughter’s face for those two weeks was priceless and made me sleep well those nights. It has been a very gloomy and sad 10 months for Imani. Not being able to go to school during her 8th grade year and just being a teenager affected her. I truly don’t know what hurt more as a parent, knowing your child was ill or knowing how sad your daughter is. Both equally pull at my heart. So Make a Wish thank you so much for bringing some light into my daughter’s life even if for a brief moment. I know she like many of the kids who are going through illnesses that even for a split second light up when wishes are granted. That means the world to me and I’m sure many parents feel the same way. I want to thank Make a wish of Guam as well because they had a part in organizing the activities in Guam. This organization is truly about bringing a light of hope, breath of fresh air and miracles to life! We will never ever forget what you all have given our Imani. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
I’ve been a Wish Grantor for almost a year and have loved every moment of it! The Wish Kids and their families are so appreciative and have all become friends that we will cherish for a lifetime! The support from the Make-A-Wish staff and team members is exemplary!
My daughter had such a positive experience with Make a Wish. She went on her dream Disney vacation in February and they were so polite, helpful and positive from start to finish. She literally had to just sit back and enjoy the ride!
I have been a wish granter for 16 years and have done approximately 100 wishes. Every wish has been a blessing to me as I was able to participate with families to help them have a positive experience. I am proud to be involved with Make A Wish Arizona as they are a tremendous organization.
Make-A-Wish Arizona grants once-in-a-lifetime experiences to the children it serves, and enables volunteers to participate in this magical endeavor. I am privileged to volunteer at this amazing organization as a wish granter. My favorite part is seeing the smiles on wish kids' and their families' faces!
I have had the blessing of being a volunteer photography for the Arizona Foundation since 2008. The families, Wish granters and other volunteers are world class people. My first Wish was a Quinceañera for a yound lady and I was hooked as a parent, photographer and friend. I shared in several Wish Balls, Wish Walks and many many Wishes that I will never forget. I was also blessed to be a Volunteer of the Month, such a privilege ! I got to know the Founding Fathers as well as the first family while building relationships and a love with and for each and every one of them ! I also have made friends of my lifetime with the WIsh parents, families and friends of the Wish children. I can't say enough about the people of the Arizona Make-A-Wish Foundation and I pray for and wish them all the best God can offer.
I haven't been a Wish Granter for long, but it is one of the best decisions I've ever made. I love knowing that I'm making a difference in someone's life. The staff made me feel so welcomed with their insightful words and smiling faces.
The work that Make A Wish AZ does is beyond measure. Not only do they bring hope, strength, and joy to children and their families in our state, they also bless the volunteers with support and purpose. Thank you to MAWAZ for making our state a better place to live and raise our families.
I have been a Wish Granter since 2012 and it has been the greatest experience of my life! Being able to work with such a giving organization, work with such amazing volunteers and meet some of the strongest people (kids) you could imagine gives me so much joy. Seeing the impact that a wish has on these children is mind blowing. If I had one wish it would be to be to have enough funds to be able to become a full-time Wish Granter!
Previous Stories
I am a Wish Granter for Make-A-Wish Arizona and absolutely love being a volunteer for this organization! Someone once asked me what my one true with would be and it was simple, "win the lottery so I could be a full-time wish granter!".
The happiness we bring to the lives of children with life threatening medical conditions is only a part of why this organization is so amazing. The lessons we learn from the kids we work with (live each day to the fullest), the connection and support we share with fellow wish granters and the wonderful staff all make this a great place to volunteer.
I'm so honored to be a part of this wonderful organization. Feel so privileged to get to know these amazing kids and their family's. Being a Wish Granter has made my heart happy.
I've been a Make A Wish granter for nearly 2 years. It is one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. There's nothing more rewarding than discussing wishes with these amazing children and witnessing the excitement they have during the planning stages and when the wish takes place. I've included my own children in the process of buying toys and cakes for wish kids and they have come to love helping the organization that helps other kids. My only wish is that I had volunteered sooner. There's no better or more caring organization that Make A Wish!
Make a Wish has enriched my life by being a part of one of the most amazing organizations I have ever been a part of. Helping Grant wishes for these children gives me much more than I could ever give back. Volunteer support is outstanding! I have been a wish granter for the past 10 years and look forward to many many more!
Previous Stories
I have been a wish granter with Make a Wish for almost 10 years. I have never found an organization more in touch with the families of children with life threatening illness. I am proud to say I am associated with this Non Profit and continue to do everything to promote them as one I support wholeheartedly. I have seen first hand the results of what their mission does for these children and their families.
I am a volunteer wish granter for Make-A-Wish Arizona, they are the BEST non-profit organization I have ever been a part of! The staff is friendly and helpful. I love going by the office to see everyone, they always greet everyone with a warm welcome. Granting wishes for Arizona kids is a dream come true for me. The kids are amazing and so strong! I will continue supporting this organization for years to come.
When you think about volunteering at a nonprofit you think about helping others in the slightest of ways. Make-A-Wish Arizona has allowed me to do much more. It has allowed me to impact the life of a child with a life threatening medical condition just when they need it the most. I am forever grateful for this opportunity. I cannot imagine being part of anything more special.
Thank you!
Being a wish granter for the Make A Wish Foundation of Arizona has allowed me to grow both professionally and personally while making a positive difference in my community. As volunteers, the wonderful support we are given by the employees of the chapter is vital in every step of the wish process. The strong bond between volunteers, our wish kids, and Make A Wish Arizona resembles a family culture and that is something I am thankful for.
Make-A-Wish does an awesome job granting the "One True Wish" of children with life-threatening medical conditions and has spread beyond Arizona and the United States, to now grant wishes internationally. I have been a Volunteer Wish Granter for almost a year and a half and have already been a part of having two wishes granted with two more very close to being granted. It is a wonderful experience to meet the wish kids and their families on the initial visit and then to follow through with the wishes. The kiddos and their families are so thankful and appreciate everything Make-A-Wish does for them and normally, with the help of wish granters, go above and beyond their expectations!
As someone who started out donating, then became a volunteer and Wish Granter, I can't say enough about how much I love MAWAZ. Not only do they treat the children and families who get wishes granted like celebrities but they treat us volunteers like rock starts as well! The staff at MAWAZ is like family to me. I love spending as much time as possible helping make wishes come true. I've served as a volunteer at many charities throughout AZ but this one is the greatest of them all. Thanks MAWAZ for letting me be a part of the magic!
I am currently working on 5 Wishes and love the support I get from Make-A-Wish! It is such an awesome organization and I am proud to be a volunteer for them. Seeing the look on the Wish Kids face when they find out their true wish has been granted is priceless. If you are looking for a very rewarding volunteer experience I would highly recommend Make-A-Wish!
Volunteering as a wish Granter has changed my life. The families I meet are inspiring, and Make-A-Wish Arizona does a wonderful job of pulling together all of the elements needed to fulfill children's wishes. As a former staff member, I know that every decision made is focused on doing what's best for the kids. When you support Make-A-Wish, you're doing something good for sick kids and their families NOW that will have a lasting impact, and might even help them gain the strength and courage to conquer their life-threatening medical condition. It's an incredible thing to be part of.
As a wish granter with Make A Wish there is nothing better than seeing the look on a kids face when I get to tell them their wish is coming true. I have been fortunate enough to stay in contact with my wish families and there is always something new they tell me about their wish every time I see them. It is an honor to be a part of such a wonderful organization
As a mother to a wish kid, I can say that the wish experience changed our lives for the better. From the trip itself -it was magical, A once in a lifetime experience that cannot ever be duplicated to the wish granters that still brighten my days when I see their names appear on my phone or computer. Words cannot adequately describe what a blessing it was, from paradise to friendships, we're forever grateful to Make-A-Wish Arizona.
Being a wish granter is one of the best decisions I've ever made. The joy I get from making the one true wish of a kiddo come true is insurmountable. I've seen the power of a wish, time and time again! My first wish kid just started her first year of college, and years later, we still speak about the positive impact her wish had on not only her, but her entire tribe of supporters.
I couldn't be more proud or grateful for the opportunity to serve on the Make a Wish Arizona Board. It is the most amazing group of people that have been assembled to make a difference in the lives of children with life threatening medical illness. The Staff of Make a Wish Arizona are the best in the business. From CEO Elizabeth Reich to every position both paid and volunteer, this is an organization firmly planted in the cause. Our whole family embraced the mission and got involved, including our daughters who started Kids for Wish kids club at their High School. It is humbling to know that we are apart of granting the one true wish of a child truly in need of a wish. To hear the stories from the families and the impact it has had on their lives is a gift that can never be repaid!
It's more than the "wish" it's the feeling of happiness and excitement that Make -A- Wish makes possible for children that have had to face the unknown, the pain, the sadness that a life threatening illness presents. Make- A- Wish gave my son something to look forward to and the excitement of his "hearts desire" to become a reality. Finally , something magical was going to happen not only for him but for his mom and dad who could only be consumed with his care, The kids are so excited but it is a very emotional process for the families whose heart breaks for their child. The anticipation of a Make- A- Wish come true, just what we needed and what my son deserved. Thank you Make-A-Wish and all who support you.
I am a Wish Granter for Make-A-Wish and love every second of it. It really is a magical experience to grant a child's one true wish and see how much joy and happiness it brings to them. The staff at Make- A -Wish is very caring and work extremely hard to make wishes come true. Being a volunteer has been wonderful!
I am a wish Grantor at Make A Wish Arizona. I realize that we as volunteers are there for kids, but these kids teach us so much in return. I ask anyone that has any time to pkease donate. It will amaze you and fill your life with something you never could have imagined.
Our son's wish was to go to Kangaroo Island in Australia. Make-A-Wish fulfilled that dream. They went above and beyond to make it an experience our family will never forget. The whole trip was well planned and orchestrated.
3 1/2 years of chemotherapy was a huge ordeal for the whole family. Make-A-Wish helped our family heal emotionally and although childhood cancer is a part of us, the trip gave our son something to live for.
Our family will always be grateful to Make-A-Wish for fulfilling our son's wish and giving our family memories which will last a lifetime.
I am the mom of am amazing Wish Kid, and our experience with Make A Wish AZ was far above and beyond anything we could have imagined. She was granted her one true wish, a shopping spree, but it was so much more than just a "trip to buy stuff." She was truly made a princess for the day, and treated like royalty by everyone, from the wish granters to the staff at the restaurant she picked for lunch!! Channy (our daughter) was smiling from morning till night on net special day, and to this day, when we talk about her wish or Wish event, that huge smile comes right back. We absolutely love, and are so grateful for Make A Wish AZ, they gave our whole family a gift that day that will live in our hearts forever.
I have recently became a volunteer for Make - A - Wish and it feels wonderful to be a part of such an amazing organization. I look forward to many years of service with Make - A - Wish. Thank you! RUBY
The summer of 2003 was life changing! Our 8 year old made a wish - he wanted to own a pickle factory when he grew up. Make-a-Wish Arizona took that simple little wish and gave us a trip we will never forget. From the limo ride to the airport to our beautiful and comfortable hotel, all the details were taken care of - including printing the hundreds of photos we took! Our 8 year old got to "run" a pickle factory in Maryland for the day and got as many pickles as he could bottle which they then shipped home for him to enjoy. Our experiences that summer brought light and joy during a very difficult challenge. We didn't have to worry about anything and instead spent a week enjoying family time, eating pickles and celebrating our son's life. Now that he is gone those memories are priceless. Make-a-Wish Arizona is an amazing non-profit that changes the lives of children bringing them hope and joy! Their impact on families is immeasurable.
I have been a Board Member for Make A Wish AZ for a year now and have loved every minute. What a great group of dedicated people to work with. The passsion and professionalism is off-the-charts. They really do make Wishes come true.
What a wonderful year it has been to be on the Make A Wish Board of AZ. Incrediable team in the truest sense. Such great enegy dominated by our Wish for our WISH Kids.
I have only been a MAW Board Member for about 6 months, but prior to that I was involved in helping the organization navigate employment issues as their pro bono lawyer. As a board member, i get to see first hand the impact of a wish on a child and his or her family. It is the most incredibly rewarding experience to see the wish's positive effects on their lives. For a time, they can focus on the wish instead of their illness. I am so amazed by all the wonderful children we help and how often their biggest hope is to pay it forward by raising money to grant more wishes. Truly moving. I am blessed to be part of the organization.
I retired after 36 years of being a RN and felt a void in my life. Volunteering with MAW Az. has filled that void. I WISH everyone could experience the joy and satisfaction I feel every time I witness a child's wish come true!! Thank you for this opportunity! Kathy A.
I have been a Wish Granter with Make-A-Wish for almost six years, and it is truly the most amazing organization! I have been blessed to meet so many wish kiddos and their families, and witness smile after smile. When you think of a wish being granted and what that looks like, think bigger! The wish kids we grant wishes for get everything they hoped for and so much more! It is magical to be able to give these families a gift that replaces the pain, worry and stress even if just for a short time. I can't imagine my life without the enrichment of Make-A-Wish. I hope to keep granting wishes for a very long time!
We had an absolutely amazing experience for my daughter's wish! We were originally scheduled for a trip to Disneyland/Knott's Berry/Universal Studios in March, but then my daughter got really sick and had to be hospitalized unexpectedly. We were due to leave on a Monday morning, but had to call on the previous Thursday to say that she was just too sick and wouldn't be able to leave as planned. I honestly wasn't sure how it would all play out, since so many plans had been put in place and now canceled at the last minute. But Make A Wish was so awesome!!! They were very understanding and reassuring that the wish would still be waiting and every bit as wonderful then as it was planned for. And indeed it was! We ended up going two months later (we chose our reschedule date), and it was absolutely worth the wait in every way!! Not only was my daughter in much better health to fully enjoy the trip, the weather was better than it would have been during our original dates! And the trip itself...this was our very first family vacation EVER, and it was such a blessing to not have to worry about anything, especially expenses!! Everything was completely paid for, down to the smallest detail. The accomadations were fantastic as well!!! And I must add that although my oldest daughter was the "Wish Kid", my youngest daughter is affected by autism, and we were very pleased that her special needs were taken into consideration as well. I just can't say enough how great our experience was (starting with the limo to the airport and special recognition from the pilots!) and we just love and are so grateful for the Make A Wish Foundation for giving my daughter (all of us really) that much needed break!!!
hcostello 10/09/2014
We love this story at Make-A-Wish Arizona because it shows how unique and specific a wish can be. Thank you, Amber, for sharing. We would love to improve your son's story on our website (we have such a cute photo of him) if you are interested in sharing more. Please contact us at info@arizona.wish.org.