Tonight’s Blackbaud Non-Profit of the South Carolina chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Make-A-Wish is a national non-profit organization made possible with the support of thousands of volunteers, donors, and supporters. The foundation’s goal is to grant wishes to every child diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition.
The Charleston Battery caught up with Crystal Alifanow to learn more about the local branch of Make-A-Wish.
CB: What is the primary mission of Make-A-Wish?
Make-A-Wish® grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Make-A-Wish believes the wish experience can be a game-changer for a sick kid. It changes the narrative for their life and his/her family. Worst times turn into the best times and families feel reconnected after.
CB: Has the foundation fulfilled any wishes of Charleston-based kids?
Make-A-Wish South Carolina has fulfilled many Charleston-based wishes. While we serve all fourty-six counties of S.C. with support from donors and volunteers we’ve granted 119 wishes within the last four years in the Lowcountry.
CB: How does the foundation choose which wishes to fulfill?
After a child is referred to Make-A-Wish medical eligibility is determined by the child’s physician. Volunteers then work with wish kids to determine what their one true wish is. Wishes typically fall under four categories: to be, to go, to have or to meet. Wishes are as unique as the child making the request.
CB: Any cool/big wishes the foundation is in the process of fulfilling?
Each wish has a huge impact in the life of a wish kid and his/her family. In the coming months some of the wishes we will be granting are a wish to have a treehouse, a wish to be a mermaid and a wish to go to Hawaii.
CB: Has the foundation fulfilled any soccer-related wishes? Other sports?
Recently, Carter, an 8-year-old from Charleston wished to go to a Miami Hurricanes game and meet the players. He attended practice, received a custom uniform and even gave a press conference. The adventure fueled his determination to get well so he can fulfill his dream of playing football when he grows up. You can read more of Carter’s story at http://sc.wish.org.
CB: How can Battery fans get involved with Make-A-Wish?
Currently, there are 44 active wish children in the Lowcountry region, awaiting their wish. There are many ways to help grant a wish including giving a donation, participating in a signature event or volunteering. You can find out more about ways to help at http://sc.wish.org
