Make-A-Wish Eastern North Carolina

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Make-A-Wish Eastern North Carolina

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Make-A-Wish Eastern NC creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.
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Founded in 1986, we serve all medically eligible children who reside in the 49 counties east of the Orange/Alamance county line - serving the Triangle to the coast. We grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy.

10/12/2026

Our Wish Ball silent auction is now live! The bidding is on, and the possibilities are endless✨

The auction is filled with incredible items and one-of-a-kind experiences! From exclusive tickets to Carolina Hurricanes games to beautiful artwork created by wish kids themselves, and so much more, there's something special for everyone.

The best part? You don't have to be at Wish Ball to join in on the fun! Whether you're celebrating with us in person or cheering with us from home, every bid helps grant wishes for kids facing critical illnesses across eastern North Carolina. You can place your bids from now until Wish Ball this Thursday evening!

Ready to bid for a cause? Head to the link below to explore the auction and place your bids!

https://my.onecause.com/event/organizations/sf-001C000000oEytyIAC/events/vevt:5438a5d9-ace6-4dae-959f-c316f89bdfdb/auctions/silent-auction

10/10/2026

After 15 incredible years of creating a lasting impact for local wish kids, we’re celebrating our Director of Philanthropy in the Wilmington area, Janis Heath Netherland, as she begins her well-deserved retirement!

Throughout her time at Make-A-Wish Eastern North Carolina, Janis poured her heart into our mission, helping transform the lives of thousands of children and families across eastern North Carolina. Through the relationships she has built, creative visions she has helped bring to life, and a presence in the Wilmington area that she built from the ground up, her impact reaches far beyond the wishes she helped make possible.

Whether Janis was driving two hours to help decorate our office or finding new ways to make the Wishmaker’s Gala a night to remember, Janis showed up each day with a smile, a positive attitude, and an unwavering dedication to serving our community.

Janis, thank you for 15 years of service and for inspiring so many others to believe in the power of a wish. Your legacy will continue to shine through our mission for years to come, and you will be greatly missed. Please join us in celebrating Janis and this exciting new chapter!

As Janis begins her next chapter, we’re also excited to welcome Logan Wright to our team as Director of Development for the Coastal Area. Logan will build on the amazing foundation Janis has created, strengthening relationships and continuing to grow our mission throughout the coastal community. We look forward to introducing Logan and sharing more about her soon!

10/08/2026

We are a week away from Wish Ball 2026 and to celebrate 40 years of wishes, our exclusive top shelf bourbon auction is LIVE!

This year’s bourbon auction features some incredible finds, including Old Forester, Penelope and Blanton’s Bourbon. Whether you’re a longtime collector or looking for the perfect addition to your home bar, we’re giving you the chance to add something special to your collection while making a difference for local wish kids.

Cheers to 40 years of wishes, and to the next wish you’ll help make possible! Head to the link below to explore the bourbon collection and place your bids today. We can’t wait to see you all next week for our annual Wish Ball, stay tuned for the rest of our silent auction going live later this weekend!!

Can’t make it to Wish Ball? No problem, you can bid from the comfort of your own home!

https://my.onecause.com/event/organizations/sf-001C000000oEytyIAC/events/vevt:5438a5d9-ace6-4dae-959f-c316f89bdfdb/auctions/silent-auction

10/07/2026

In September, 14 kids had life-changing wishes granted across eastern North Carolina!

This past month, new wishes brought new celebrations and wish memories to look back on. Wish kids Holly and Eleanor are two of the many children who have experienced the transformative power of a wish, each traveling to Walt Disney World for an unforgettable adventure filled with hope.

Each wish is more than just one moment. The joy it creates lasts far beyond the wish itself and gives children and their families moments they can hold onto for years to come. We are so grateful to each and every person who makes it possible to create life-changing wishes for kids right here in eastern North Carolina.

Here’s to the 14 new wish stories that began this September, and all the ones we’ll still be celebrating years from now.

10/05/2026

Another year of going over, under and all in for wishes🌊🏃

Our 6th Annual Over Under Biathlon brought the Surf City community together once again for a day of movement, meaning and making wishes possible! Participants took on a 5K paddle under the Surf City High-Rise Bridge before trading their paddles for running shoes and completing a 5K run over it, all in support of local children facing critical illnesses.

This event was founded by Mike White in honor of wish kid Perryn, who passed away in 2020. Six years later, Perryn’s spirit continues to inspire a community to show up, push forward and make a difference for the next wish kid.

This year, that community raised more than $16,000 to help grant life-changing wishes across eastern North Carolina! To every athlete, volunteer, sponsor and supporter who made this year possible, thank you. Your efforts help ensure Perryn’s legacy continues to create hope and joy for wish kids and their families.

10/01/2026

Did you know there are five types of wishes?

When a child’s wish is granted, they get to envision an experience that brings them joy, inspires hope, and opens the door to new possibilities. From wish kid Aiden meeting the Lakers to wish kid Noah experiencing the magic of Walt Disney World, every wish is as special and unique as the child behind it.

The five wish types are:

I wish to have

I wish to be

I wish to go

I wish to meet

I wish to give

No matter which category each wish falls into, the experience can create a lasting impact for a child and their family. Want to get involved? Click the link in our bio to learn more about how you can help transform lives by creating moments of hope for children and families across Eastern North Carolina.

09/28/2026

This year’s Make-A-Wish Bartender Challenge once again raised the bar for local wishes🥂⭐

Wilmington area real estate agents and mortgage lending superstars poured drinks at Flying Machine Brewing Company to see who could earn the most tips for Make-A-Wish Eastern North Carolina. Together, they raised over $90,000 for wishes!

Thank you to every participant who stepped behind the bar, rallied their teams, and helped turn each drink served into support for our mission. We are so grateful for each and every person who came out, donated, cheered on their favorite bartenders, and made the night unforgettable. Your generosity and commitment reveal how raising funds for wishes unites neighbors, friends, and entire communities in life-changing experiences.

09/25/2026

Wish Ball wouldn’t shine quite as bright without our Wish Superstars ⭐️

We are grateful to recognize our 2026 Wish Superstar Sponsors, Pinnacle and IQVIA, whose continued generosity is helping turn an unforgettable night into life-changing wishes for children across eastern North Carolina.

As we celebrate 40 years of granting wishes on October 15th, we are filled with gratitude for our entire community of Wishmakers, especially our corporate partners, who help carry our mission forward. Thank you to our Wish Superstar Sponsors for making Wish Ball 2026 truly extraordinary.

Want to make an impact at Wish Ball 2026? Visit this link to discover how you can help grant local wishes!

https://wish.org/eastnc/wish-ball

09/23/2026

From the ice to the putting green, the Carolina Hurricanes Alumni Association continue to show up for local wish kids in powerful ways💫❤️

For years, the Carolina Hurricanes community has gone above and beyond to bring hope and joy to local wish kids. Just last night, wish kid Simon had the opportunity to attend a Canes game and experience the excitement firsthand!

Now, we’re thrilled to build on that legacy through an exciting new partnership with the Carolina Hurricanes Alumni Association. This October, they’re taking their support to the golf course with the inaugural Swing for Wishes Golf Tournament, benefiting our mission to grant life-changing wishes to local children battling critical illnesses.

On October 5, join us and wish kid Simon at Hasentree Golf Club, where every swing makes an impact. Sign up today for the chance to meet Simon, gather your team and help turn a day of golf into hope for the next local wish kid.

Every registration and sponsorship will directly support granting wishes for children across eastern North Carolina. Learn more about how your next round could help make a child’s wish come true and reserve your spot using this link.
https://carolinahurricanesalumni.org/charity-golf-tournament/

Go Canes!

09/21/2026

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and we're honoring the strength of children facing cancer and the hope a wish can bring during some of their hardest days.

After what seemed to be a minor leg injury, wish kid Lewis was diagnosed with cancer in September 2024 and a whirlwind of treatment began almost immediately after. When Lewis finally completed treatment, having his wish granted gave him something powerful to celebrate and a new chapter to look forward to.

For Lewis and so many kids battling childhood cancer, having a wish granted is more than just an experience, it can remind them of how far they have come. In the midst of hospital visits and uncertainty, having a wish to look forward to can give a child the strength and hope to keep pushing forward.

If you know a child in Eastern North Carolina who may be eligible for a wish, you can take the first step today. Visit this link to learn more about eligibility and how to submit a referral. Your referral could be where their wish begins. https://wish.org/refer-a-child

Address

3809 Computer Drive, Suite 201
Raleigh, NC
27609

Website

http://wish.org/eastnc

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