What is the Impact of a Wish?
We are on a quest to bring every eligible child’s wish to life because wishes are an important part of a child’s treatment journey. Wishes provide kids with hope when they need it most, and research shows they have effects on children’s overall well-being and health outcomes.
The Impact of Make-A-Wish 2022
Wish Impact Survey Results
In 2010, Make-A-Wish® embarked on a groundbreaking study to quantify the true impact of wishes on children and families involved in the wish journey. This pivotal research provided concrete evidence that the benefits of wish granting extend far beyond the immediate emotional uplift. It demonstrated that wishes significantly enhance the quality of life for children and their families by fostering resilience and improving overall well-being.
Fast forward to 2022, and this vital research has been expanded to encompass a larger, more diverse group of Make-A-Wish children, parents, and medical professionals. The findings are overwhelmingly positive: wish experiences are seen as critical components of the medical treatment journey, improving survival odds, and providing essential support systems. Wishes also boost hope, strength, joy, confidence, self-esteem, and quality of life, serving as powerful coping mechanisms and turning points during treatment. Moreover, they help unite families, reinforce relationships, and alleviate feelings of traumatic stress and loneliness. This comprehensive study reaffirms the transformative power of a wish, solidifying its role as a crucial element in the healing journey
Wish Impact
9 out of 10
wish parents saw their child’s emotional well-being improve with a wish
9 out of 10
medical providers observed the wish experience helped relieve families from traumatic stress
8 out of 10
wish parents said their child’s wish gave them a stronger sense of empowerment
8 out of 10
medical providers said a child’s wish experience serves as a coping mechanism during treatment
Why Wishes Matter
In 2015, one of our international affiliates conducted an independent study to measure the impact of wish-granting experiences on the medical outcomes of children with critical illnesses. The results revealed wishes not only increased hope, they also improved the children’s physical and emotional health. The wishes made the impossible, possible — helping children replace fear with confidence, sadness with joy and anxiety with hope.
Watch the video below to learn more about how Make-A-Wish is helping children improve their emotional health more visibly and successfully than any other organization.
