(Newswire.net — July 30, 2015) — In 1980 there were very few organizations that could help brighten up the day of a terminally ill child. However from learning to give back as a small child, Frank Shankwitz founded the Make a Wish Foundation, which has made it possible for dying children to experience some happiness as their wishes are transformed into reality. Since this organizations inception, the wishes of over 200,000 thousand terminally ill children have been granted.
This idea began when Frank Shankwitz, then a Highway Patrol Officer was asked to meet a little boy named Chris who was terminally ill, having been stricken with Leukemia. Little Chris’ one wish was to become a police officer as he loved the TV series CHIPS. After spending time with the little seven-year-old, Shankwitz immediately obtained the child a uniform and the boy was made an official police officer just before he passed on. After this, Shankwitz realized how many other children such as Chris would benefit from having a wish granted, in which resulted in the creation of his Make a Wish Foundation. Not only did Frank know that these wishes brightened the child’s bleak days, but he knew that when an ill child is able to experience some joy in their life, it makes them feel a bit better, therefore this spreads the hope that since they feel emotionally happier, they might get well. This hope never stops. It is interesting to make note that recent statistics have reported that more than half of the Make a Wish eligible children have been able to fight their illness and have survived.
Upon its creation, individuals loved the idea of bringing some happiness into a dying child’s life. Days of the child that were filled with never ending physician visits, hours of repetitive treatments, medication schedules which consumed their days and hospital stays could drastically change just a bit thanks to Make a Wish, causing the children to perhaps forget, even for a brief time, that they were ill. After learning about this wish granter, individual’s world-wide began to contribute which helped so many more children who were desperately in need of this bit of sunshine in their life. Soon Frank Shankwitz began giving interviews to various television shows, magazines and newspapers with the U.S. and globally.
In a way, the Make a Wish also assists the friends and family of the terminally ill child. Knowing that your child has a limited number of months, weeks or days is beyond devastating to deal with day by day and the emotional pain is unspeakable. Just by seeing the child beam with joy in their face at meeting their favorite idol, being able to board a Disney Cruise ship or whatever wish they desire, this devastating pain is somehow softened a bit for a brief time.
In 2013, the Make-A-Wish made it possible for eligible children to have 14,000 wishes granted. Of course, all involved hopes that there will come a day that when these numbers decrease and no children suffer from a terminal illness. However until that hope becomes a reality, this organization will continue to change the lives of ill children, even if it is for a few moments.
Today Frank Shankwitz continues to travel to stress the importance of giving back to one another. Recently he visited San Diego, California to attend a meeting for the Secret Knock organization (their functions, events and activities are kept private from non-members). At this conference, Shankwitz met a child whose wish he made possible 16 years ago.
In order for a child to be eligible for Make a Wish, they must be between the ages of 2 ½ to 18 years old. The child must have received a diagnosis of a medical condition that is life-threatening. Next they can be referred by their physician or a professional from the health care system, friends or family members. Upon receiving this referral, eligibility is then verified with the physician of the child.
From making possible wishes which range from going on a shopping spree to spending the day at an amusement park, Frank Shankwitz’s incredible organization has expanded into 64 various chapters within the United States, while there are 36 internationally. Today Make a Wish is funded by various donations from thousands of individuals, religious groups, organizations and more than 32,000 volunteers. During Make a Wish’s early days, Frank Shankwitz was often doubted that this organization could go on. It was hard and at the times when he considered giving it up due to various frustrations, he would always hear of another child that was in need of a wish, which inspired him to continue with Make a Wish.