Make-A-Wish Idaho grants 127 wishes this year, shattering previous record
BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) - Make-A-Wish Idaho has granted 127 wishes during its latest fiscal year, the most wishes the chapter has ever granted during a year.
The sizable increase in wishes is due, in part, to pandemic-related delays as well as an increase in the state’s population. Make-A-Wish Idaho also received a record number of wish referrals during the latest fiscal year which ran from Sept. 1, 2022, until Aug. 31, 2023. The previous record of 100 wishes granted was set in 2012-2013, and the average number of wishes granted per year is approximately 90. As the state’s population continues to grow, Make-A-Wish Idaho estimates it will likely grant more than 110 wishes per year going forth.
The most popular wishes were Disney-destination wishes. Sixty kids wished to go to Disney World or Disneyland. Shopping spree wishes were a distant second with 15 and Hawaii wishes came in third place with 13. Other popular wishes included meetings with celebrities, sports teams, trips to New York City, and wishes to have a puppy.
Hesston is a 7-year-old from Blackfoot who was referred to Make-A-Wish Idaho with a lymphoma diagnosis. His wish to go to Disney World was granted in December 2022. Hesston chose a Disney World wish because he wanted to see Mickey’s Playhouse and the other kids at the hospital talked about how great it was to stay at The Give Kids The World Resort in Orlando.
According to a 2022 wish impact study, participants— comprised of wish family members, adult wish kids and medical professionals—said the wish experience contributed substantially to physical, mental and emotional health. Participants also said wishes brought families closer together and tended to improve a child’s compliance with their treatment.
