We grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy
How It All Began
The First Wish Child
Make-A-Wish® Foundation originated in the United States in 1980. It grew from the dreams of a young boy Christopher Greicius, who had Leukaemia and wanted to be a highway patrolman. Chris’s mother along with the larger community moved heaven and earth to make his dream come true. Chris was sworn in as the first and only honorary Arizona Highway Patrolman in the state's history. Inspired by Chris and enriched by being part of the experience, his mother and some others who helped his dream come true realized there must be other children like Chris who could benefit from their wishes being granted. Their inspiration was the beginning of the Make-A-Wish® Foundation.
How it began in India
In 1995, Uday and Gita Joshi took their little boy Gandhar suffering from Leukemia for treatment to the USA . Gandhar agreed to go only on the promise that he would get to visit Disney Land®. In the course of his treatment, Make-A-Wish® Foundation volunteers met the Mr. Joshi and went about fulfilling Gandhar’s wish in a way beyond his imagination. His sister, Bhargavi was specially flown in from India by the foundation to join the family on a 6 day memorable trip of Disneyland®. Gandhar passed away soon after their return to India. Inspired by the joy and magic that the wish experience had brought into their lives in a difficult time and in memory of their little boy, the Joshi were determined to bring the same wish experience to children with life-threatening illnesses in India. Thus, the Indian affiliate was established in 1996 and since then wishes have been granted to children across the country and Gandhar thus lives on – each time a wish in India comes true!
Disclaimer :
Make-A-Wish Foundation ® of India is affiliated to Make-A-Wish Foundation ® International
"Funds donated to Make-A-Wish Foundation ® of India, do not accrue to the benefit of Make-A-Wish Foundation of America, any United States Chapter of Make-A-Wish Foundation ® of America, or the children that Make-A-Wish Foundation of America and its Chapters serve."
