40 Years of Wishes
We create life-changing wishes for Canadian children with critical illnesses. Wishes help replace fear with confidence, sadness with joy, and anxiety with hope that anything is possible.
About Make-A-Wish Canada
As an independently operating affiliate of Make-A-Wish InternationalOpens in new tab, Make-A-Wish Canada is part of the network of the world’s leading children’s wish-granting organization. We serve children in every community in Canada, and in more than 50 countries worldwide. We create life-changing wishes for Canadian children with critical illnesses. Wishes help replace fear with confidence, sadness with joy, and anxiety with hope that anything is possible.
Wishes Granted to Date
40,000
It All Started with a Single Wish
At just seven years old, Christopher James Greicius dreamed not of toys or games, but of becoming a police officer. Despite his life-threatening illness, his heart was set on protecting others.
A Wish Takes Flight
On April 29, 1980, a U.S. Customs Officer friend arranged a helicopter tour over Phoenix, Arizona, for Chris. It was a magical experience that became even more poignant when Chris received an official Arizona Highway Patrol uniform, fulfilling his true wish
Inspiring a Movement
Watch how Chris’s wish sparked the creation of Make-A-Wish Foundation® which is now the largest wish-granting charity in the world.
A Canadian Legacy Begins
In 1983, Nigel Brown and Robb Lucy’s compassion led to the founding of the first Canadian chapter of Make-A-Wish®, setting the stage for countless wishes to come.
Debbie’s Lasting Legacy
The first Canadian wish was granted to Debbie, a 13-year-old bravely battling leukemia, who wished to visit her grandparents in Germany.
Children’s Wish Joins the Journey
A year later, Children’s Wish was founded in Atlantic Canada, granting a child’s dream vacation and solidifying their dedication to this heartfelt cause.
Uniting for Greater Impact
Decades of dedication culminated in 2019 when Make-A-Wish Canada and Children’s Wish merged, amplifying our ability to fulfill more wishes sooner to more children across Canada. Today, we remain a national charity with deep local roots, our vision undeterred– to fulfill the wish of every eligible child in Canada.
A Community of Strength
The cornerstone of our work lies in the power of community. The shared experiences of helping a child and their family during their time of need fortify community bonds. Wishes offer a way for community members to act and contribute when feelings of helplessness loom large. This impact reverberates, strengthening communities and providing lasting benefits to the wish child, family, and community even after the wish has been granted. This is a testament to the incredible, life-long impact and transformational power of a wish.
