When Did Make A Wish Foundation Start

Ever found yourself blowing out candles on a birthday cake, eyes closed, making a wish? You're not alone. We've all done it. But have you ever wondered where this tradition comes from, and how it led to the creation of an organization that's become a beacon of hope for countless kids around the world?

Blowing Out Candles, Blowing Up Dreams

Let's rewind to the late 1970s. A young girl named Linda Borton was fighting leukemia at the University of Arizona Medical Center. Her doctor, Dr. Emanuel Friedman, wanted to do something special for her. He remembered a story about the ancient Greek goddess of the moon, Hecate, who was said to grant wishes to those who made them while blowing out candles.

So, Dr. Friedman arranged for a cake to be brought to Linda's room, complete with 10 candles - one for each year of her life. As she blew them out, she made a wish. It was a simple act, but it brought a moment of joy and normalcy to Linda's difficult journey.

Linda's wish was to get better, and sadly, she didn't. But her story didn't end there. It inspired Dr. Friedman and his wife, Marlo, to create a foundation that would grant wishes for other critically ill children. And thus, the Make-A-Wish Foundation was born in 1980.

From One Wish to Thousands

At first, it was just a small, local effort. But word spread, and soon, more people wanted to help make wishes come true. In 1983, the first official chapter was established in Phoenix, Arizona. By 1985, there were 15 chapters across the U.S.

Today, Make-A-Wish is a global organization with a presence in nearly 50 countries. They've granted over 500,000 wishes worldwide. That's a whole lot of candles blown out, and a whole lot of dreams come true.

Why Should You Care?

You might be thinking, "That's all well and good, but why should I care about Make-A-Wish?" Well, let me put it this way: Have you ever had a really tough day? Maybe you had a big project at work, or you were stuck in traffic, or you just had one of those days where everything seemed to go wrong.

Now, imagine you're a kid. You're dealing with all the usual kid stuff - school, friends, homework - but on top of that, you're also fighting a serious illness. It's a lot to handle, right? That's where Make-A-Wish comes in.

You see, a wish is more than just a nice thing. It's a chance for a kid to forget about their illness, even if it's just for a little while. It's a moment of joy, of normalcy, of hope. And that can make a big difference in a kid's life.

Take, for example, the story of Jack Hoffman. Jack was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2011. During his treatment, he became a big fan of the Nebraska Cornhuskers football team. His wish? To be a part of the team, to score a touchdown in a real game.

Make A Wish Foundation Snow Globe

Thanks to Make-A-Wish, Jack's wish came true. He scored a touchdown during a game, and the crowd went wild. It was a moment of pure joy, a moment that Jack and his family will never forget. And it gave them all a much-needed break from the reality of Jack's illness.

Jack's story is just one of many. Each wish granted is a testament to the power of hope, of joy, of the simple act of making a wish. And that's something we can all get behind.

How You Can Help

So, how can you help? Well, there are plenty of ways to get involved. You can donate, of course. Every dollar helps Make-A-Wish grant more wishes.

But you don't have to write a check to make a difference. You can volunteer your time, your skills, your creativity. You can organize a fundraiser, or participate in one. You can even grant a wish yourself, if you're in a position to do so.

And if you're not ready to do any of that, you can still help just by spreading the word. Tell your friends and family about Make-A-Wish. Share the stories of the kids whose lives have been changed by a wish. Every bit of awareness helps.

Because at the end of the day, we're all in this together. We're all part of the same human family. And when one of our own is going through a tough time, it's our responsibility to lend a helping hand, to offer a word of hope, to grant a wish.

So, the next time you blow out candles on a cake, remember Linda Borton. Remember Jack Hoffman. Remember all the kids whose lives have been changed by a wish. And then, make your own wish. Because you never know - it might just come true.