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Make-A-Wish® Mid-Atlantic creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses in the District of Columbia, Maryland and northern Virginia. Since its inception in 1983, Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic has granted more than 10,000 wishes to local children, however for every wish granted, at least one more child is waiting for their wish. Now more than ever, wish children – and the community surrounding them – need the hope a wish can bring.

As a local organization, Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic relies on local donors to continue its work toward granting the wish of every eligible child. Wish kids face any number of critical illnesses such as cancer, pediatric AIDS, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Duchene’s muscular dystrophy, kidney and heart disease. Currently, over 450 children are waiting to receive their gift and this year alone, another 800-1,200 will be diagnosed with a critical illness that may qualify them for a wish. A wish is more than just a nice thing; research shows wishes help children fight longer and harder against their illness. In fact, 79% of adult former wish kids say their wish marked a turning point in their treatment and recovery and 71% believe their wish experience helped save their lives.

A child battling a critical illness shouldn’t have to wait one day longer than necessary for the relief their wish will bring them. Help Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic grant the wish of every eligible child. Visit midatlantic.wish.org to learn more about local wish kids and to make a donation today.