Make-A-Wish Foundation® Grants Children’s Wishes in 41 Countries for World Wish Day®

The Make-A-Wish Foundation celebrated World Wish Day today by honoring the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions in 41 countries.

Maureen Marsh of Great Falls, Va., celebrates World Wish Day with members of the Parathosi Dance Group at the Embassy of Greece in Washington, D.C., on Friday. Greek Ambassador Vassilis Kaskarelis invited Marsh, 16, to celebrate her wish to visit the Greek island of Santorini in July. The dance group, from St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Bethesda, Md., taught a traditional Greek dance to Marsh, who was also named an honorary citizen of Santorini. (Photo: Business Wire)

World Wish Day is organized by the Make-A-Wish Foundation to commemorate the anniversary of the wish that inspired the creation of what is now one of the world’s leading children’s charities. Seven-year-old Chris Greicius’ wish to be a police officer was granted in Phoenix by volunteers from several law-enforcement agencies on April 29, 1980.

“World Wish Day highlights the common cause of people worldwide to bring hope, strength and joy to children with life-threatening medical conditions through the Make-A-Wish Foundation,” said David Williams, Make-A-Wish Foundation of America president and chief executive officer. “When children are granted a wish, they receive more than just a great experience for a brief time. A wish granted has a long-term impact in creating more happiness and less fear in a family’s life, improving their quality of life during a difficult time.”

Notable World Wish Day wishes and activities included:

• Virginia teenager Maureen received gifts from Ambassador Vassilis Kaskarelis and learned a traditional Greek dance at the Embassy of Greece in Washington, D.C., to celebrate her upcoming wish. Maureen will go on her wish to visit the Greek island of Santorini in July.
• Make-A-Wish® representatives rang the bells across NYSE Euronext markets in Europe – Paris; Brussels, Belgium; Amsterdam, Netherlands; and Lisbon, Portugal – and the New York Stock Exchange to honor World Wish Day.
• Adam, 5, whose wish to be a player for the NFL’s Carolina Panthers was granted in December, welcomed the first pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, quarterback Cam Newton, to Newton’s introductory press conference in North Carolina. (AP photo available)
• Morgan’s Wonderland in San Antonio, the world’s first ultra-accessible family fun park, entertained nearly 3,000 Make-A-Wish® donors, volunteers and wish families for a free World Wish Day party.
• Samarra, 5, of Texas enjoyed a house-warming party from volunteers to unveil her wish, a wheelchair-accessible playhouse.
• Caitlin, 8, rode through Harmony, Maine, in a horse-drawn carriage to her wish, a new pink playhouse in her family’s backyard.
• Joanna, 10, of Australia traveled to Don Hin, China, to meet family from around the world and attend her aunt's wedding.
• Emma, 10, of Idaho hit the beach on Captiva Island, Fla., for her wish to collect seashells with her family.
• Talha, 9, of Turkey chased the “bad guys” on his wish to be a policeman.

You can share the power of a wish® to honor World Wish Day – refer your child, make a donation, spread the word via Facebook (facebook.com/makeawish) and Twitter (@makeawish) or give your unused airline miles to help a wish family reach their wish destination. Learn how at wish.org.

EDITORS: For World Wish Day photos, video and more, visit the World Wish Day media center at mediacenter.wish.org.

About the Make-A-Wish Foundation

The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. With the help of generous donors and more than 30,000 volunteers worldwide, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has granted more than 250,000 wishes around the world. The Make-A-Wish Foundation of America is partnering with Make-A-Wish Foundation International for World Wish Day. For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit wish.org and discover how you can share the power of a wish®.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6704162&lang=en