A Special Wish can grant a wish for a child between birth and up to 20 years of age, who has been diagnosed by a physician, as having a life-threatening illness or disease. Our Northeast Ohio Chapter covers Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital, Akron Children’s Hospital, and UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital.

A Special Wish is an organization focusing on hope for a full recovery. We require a physician to sign a form indicating that the child is diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition to receive a wish.

Yes. If a child is unable to communicate, we focus on the family, relatives, and non-family members (social workers, teachers, etc.) who work with the family to verify the true wish of the child.

A Wish is only limited by the imagination of the wish child. Most wishes are included in the following categories:

• Receiving A Special Gift

  Gifts children have received for a Wish include shopping sprees, playground sets, pools, and a puppy.

• Visiting A Special Place

  Destinations children have visited for a wish trip include Walt Disney World, a Super Bowl game, a Final Four game, and an All Star game.

• Meeting A Special Hero

  People who have spent time with A Special Wish children for their Wish include sports figures, celebrities, movie stars, chefs, and action heroes.

We strongly encourage a child to be referred to A Special Wish soon after their diagnosis. We do not have restrictions as to the state of the child’s condition to be scheduled for a wish, only that the child is diagnosed with having a life-threatening illness or disease.

Due to liability, we are unable to grant Wishes such as motorized vehicles, in-ground pools or hot tubs, or international travel. We also do not grant wishes such as medical equipment, home improvements, or cash.

Every attempt is made to include the child’s immediate family living in the household. If the wish child is an only child, they are permitted to have a companion participate in the wish. We also permit a caregiver to attend if the child is in need of professional medical assistance.

It is the wish child and family’s choice as to the dates of travel. Every attempt is made to work with the child’s desired schedule.

Every effort is made to cover all expenses including travel, accommodations, food and spending money.

No. There is absolutely no income qualification requirements that a wish family must meet for a child to be eligible for a Wish.

A Special Wish is strictly funded through donations. All of our Wishes are granted through the generous support of corporations and individuals.

Corporations often donate through corporate giving or company foundations. Individuals also give annually or choose to donate to honor a birthday, wedding, anniversary or in memory of a loved one who has passed away. Corporations, organizations or individuals choose to give through sponsoring special fundraising event.

Yes. A Special Wish Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and all gifts, including monetary and in-kind, are fully tax-deductible as allowed by law. Tax receipts, in the form of thank you’s, are provided by the foundation for all donations.