Frequently Asked Questions:
Are there any wishes you don't grant?
Answer: Wishes that are not granted by Make-A-Wish® Canada include, but aren't limited to:
- Direct gifts of money
- Medical treatment or services
- Firearms/hunting
- Motorized vehicles
- Animals/pets
- Home improvements
- Education or tuition
- Swimming pools
- Anything that poses a risk of physical, emotional or mental harm
Does a family have to meet financial criteria to be eligible to receive a wish?
Answer: Not at all. We don't discriminate based on a family's financial situation.
Who is included in the wish?
Answer: Immediate family, including parents or legal guardians (maximum of two), siblings under 18 years old who are residing in the home, and step-siblings and half-siblings under 18 years old residing in the home of the wish child.
Does the family have to pay anything for the wish?
Answer: No. We cover all costs to provide every qualified wish child and his/her family with an experience that will last a lifetime.
How long does it take to grant a wish?
Answer: Because every wish is unique, there's no set time frame. The length of time it takes to fulfill a wish varies on the personal situation and flexibility of the child's family. It also depends on the nature and scope of the wish.
Is there a Make-A-Wish chapter near me?
Answer: Please visit our Chapters page to find a chapter in your area.
Who is eligible for a wish?
Answer: We grant wishes to children aged three through 17-years-old with life-threatening medical conditions. We do have some eligibility requirements. For example, the child cannot have received a prior wish from any wish-granting organization. For more information on eligibility please visit our Refer a Child page.
How can I refer a child for a wish?
Answer: Make-A-Wish accepts referrals from the child's parent/guardian, a medical professional, or even the child themselves. They contact us and begin the process. We always make sure the family is aware of the referral before taking the wish to the next step. If you would like to refer a child but are not their legal guardian or doctor, we encourage you to contact the child's family and have them complete the referral process themselves. For more information, visit our Refer a Child page.
How can I help grant wishes?
Answer: Here are some ways you can help:
- Make a donation. Visit our Donate page.
- Refer a Child - Visit our "Refer a Child" section or contact your local Make-A-Wish chapter
- Get involved. Find out more on our Get Involved page.
What are the most requested types of wishes?
Answer: We have four categories of wishes: I wish to go, I wish to be, I wish to have and I wish to meet. Some of the most requested wishes include travel, entertainment centres, computer systems, and meeting celebrities.
Where does the money for granting wishes come from?
Answer: In Canada, Make-A-Wish relies on funds donated by generous individuals and corporations. The funds raised in Canada help to deliver wishes to children across the country. Each chapter in Canada has its own fundraising programs to help provide wishes in their local communities. For more information on events and activities in your area, visit the Chapters page.
How much does it cost to grant a wish?
Answer: Costs vary within each experience and depend on the complexity of the wish. For example, a travel wish may involve transportation, accommodation, meals and expenses for the immediate family.
How do you decide which children receive a wish?
Answer: We don't. Every child referred, who is deemed eligible for a wish by our medical advisory team, will be granted a wish.
Does a child's illness have to be terminal to be qualified for a wish?
Answer: No. We grant wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions. In fact, many of our wish children grow into adulthood and lead long, happy lives.
How is a wish determined?
Answer: Once a child is referred by their legal guardian or doctor, Make-A-Wish requests authorization from the child's doctor that the child meets the medical eligibility criteria for the wish. Once approved, we contact the child's family and a wish granter then works closely with the family and the child to guide them through the wish process.
