Make-A-Wish Western New York

06/07/2026

That moment before your wish comes true! ✌️✨

It’s time for takeoff on Adhya’s wish, a moment that has helped her stay hopeful through her treatment for leukemia. In fact, 9 out of 10 medical providers say the wish experience helps children feel more hopeful about the future.

Now, as Adhya lifts off toward her wish, that hope is ready to soar.

Learn more about the impact of a wish at wish.org/impact-study. 💫

06/05/2026

Last night in New York City, our Metro New York and Western New York Gala featured a truly special wish kid: Maddie. 🌟

A Buffalo native and devoted Broadway fan, Maddie’s wish has touched every corner of our chapter, and inspired so many beyond it. She traveled to New York City to make her wish of being on Broadway come true, and the experience was nothing short of spectacular.

Maddie made Buffalo proud at the Gala, where she presented WishMaker Nathaniel Hill with the 2026 WishMaker Award and took the stage alongside Broadway star Rachel Webb for a showstopping performance. 🎤🤩

Thank you, Maddie, for repping Make-A-Wish Metro New York and Western New York so well. You are a star! ⭐

06/03/2026

The sooner a wish is granted, the sooner a child can replace fear and uncertainty with hope and possibility. 💫

Nine out of 10 of wish alumni say that they felt more joyful, confident, and hopeful for their future after their wish. 💙

You can provide that everlasting hope and joy for a child who needs it most. Help make wishes come true this summer and beyond: wish.org/newyork.

I wish to be a nurse Sophyii 11 autoimmune disorder Give hope where it's needed most. Grant a life-changing wish today. Donate Now Ways to Get Involved Transform lives every month. Your monthly gift helps grant wishes all year long. Give Monthly More kids are waiting for wishes than ever before. You...

06/02/2026

The Village Glen Tennis & Pickleball and Basil Family Dealerships recently teamed up to help make wishes come true! Together, they hosted a pickleball tournament that raised $20,000 to grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses right here in Western New York.
Players squared off on the court, and spectators enjoyed a basket raffle and silent auction all in support of the fundraiser. Even wish alum Kaden stopped by to share his wish story and make a personal donation. 💓
Our sincerest thanks to the Village Glen and Basil Family Dealerships, and to everyone who helped make the tournament a success! Together, we are transforming lives one wish at a time. ⭐

06/02/2026

For Amariah, her Sweet 16 felt extra sweet! 🎉💙

After spending her last birthday in the ICU being treated for her sickle cell diagnosis, Amariah and her family weren’t sure what this birthday would have in store. But as her health began to stabilize, plans for her wish, an ultimate Sweet 16 birthday party, got underway!

From the photo booth to her dress to dessert, Amariah’s birthday was picture-perfect. But the most special moment was seeing her twirl around the dance floor with her friends and family, her support system throughout her journey with sickle cell. ✨

Wishes can feel like a turning point for a child facing a critical illness, and for Amariah, her birthday bash celebrated how far she has come and all that lies ahead. 💫

Donate today and create more moments of joy for kids with critical illnesses by visiting https://bit.ly/4diq3wX.

06/01/2026

Run the 2027 Tokyo Marathon with Team Make-A-Wish! 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️💫

If you’ve ever wished of taking on one of the Abbott World Marathon Majors in one of the most vibrant and dynamic cities in the world, now is your chance. Join Team Make-A-Wish and race through Tokyo’s iconic sights, all while helping grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses right here in New York.

Run, don’t walk, to https://bit.ly/4dMNsXI to apply for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and make your miles matter. 🌟

05/30/2026

Appreciation Month may be coming to a close, but your impact doesn’t have to. 💫

Mason is non-verbal, and his parents speak both Mandarin and English. With their help, he was able to share his wish: family portraits that would allow them to hold onto memories together. The session included backdrops that celebrated their culture, like Lunar New Year scenes.

When families can communicate in their native language, they feel safer, heard, and empowered to express their wishes. That’s why we’re looking for bilingual volunteers to support families whose first language isn’t English, including Mandarin, Cantonese, Bengali, and Urdu.

Use your language skills to help bridge the gap between a child and their wish. 💙🌟 Visit https://bit.ly/3Rz6Pfw to learn how you can become a bilingual volunteer today.

05/29/2026

Our Rochester New Leadership Council invites philanthropic young professionals to get involved and make a difference for wish kids while honing their leadership skills and building their networks. We're actively recruiting new members to join the NLC, and would love to hear from you!

To become a member, you'll need to attend meetings, meet a personal contribution/fundraising goal, and help to increase awareness and connections for Make-A-Wish in the Rochester area. In return, you'll build your network and resume while helping grant wishes for children with critical illnesses.

⭐Interested in learning more? Contact Alyssa Ballou at [email protected] or (585) 213-5063.

05/28/2026

Erik’s wish journey is out of this world. 🚀

Erik's parents shared that the year Erik was in treatment was one of the most difficult years of their lives, but Erik was the bravest of them all. During chemotherapy, he found escape in watching rocket launch videos. He soon started dressing up like an astronaut because it made him feel brave.

For his wish, Erik finally stepped into the world he had only seen from a hospital bed with a visit to the Kennedy Space Center. The highlight was watching a real rocket launch right before his eyes!
“This wish is a breath of fresh air for our family and a celebration of how far he’s come,” his parents shared.

Erik’s journey is taking off into a new chapter filled with hope. 🌟 You can help more wishes lift off this by visiting https://bit.ly/42XZAjB. 💙