PORTLAND, Ore — Editor's note: The video above is from Dec. 6, 2019.
We have a reason to celebrate hope in a time that may feel bleak.
Wednesday is World Wish Day, marking four decades of Make-A-Wish granting life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.
The initial wish 40 years ago paved the way for the founding of Make-A-Wish Oregon in 1983.
Wednesday evening at dusk, the Moda Center will light up blue in support of a new Make-A-Wish campaign shining a light on everyone’s ability to bring hope to children with critical illnesses during this challenging time.
“When people look across the river and see the Moda Center blue they can know that hope and joy are still alive. And we at Make-A-Wish are extra good at bringing joy to people that really need it,” Make-A-Wish Oregon President Laila Cook said.
Make-A-Wish launched a new PSA campaign called Wishes Need Stars Like You. It is a call to action to every person and organization who has the power to bring hope to children and families who need it - the shining stars all around us. The campaign, narrated by WWE Superstar John Cena, rallies the ability of everyday people to help kids and their families when they need it most.
“We have so many people that come together to make a wish come true; from the volunteer wish granters to the donors to the airline folks to the doctors who refer the kiddo. And they’re all pulling for these kids," Cook said.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, an unprecedented number of kids are waiting for their wishes to be granted. In the face of that, Make-A-Wish is committed to instilling hope in wish kids and their families.
“Most of the kids we serve have compromised immune systems so what we have been needing to do is pivot really quickly and not make kiddos be put in jeopardy in any way," Cook said. "So for some kiddos that has meant changing their wish to a local wish and for some kiddos it has meant postponing. And my biggest promise is a postponement does not mean a cancellation and we will grant these wishes as soon as we’re able to."
Part of the magic of a wish is waiting, Cook says, but the organization recognizes how challenging and disheartening it may be to wait for a wish, particularly for children currently in treatment who've worked out travel around their treatment schedules.
“What we are really trying to do is deliver little moments of joy and little moments of wish magic along the way. I think if we can go through summer and go back to full business in the fall it will be totally worth it whenever you get to have your wish," she added.
Make-A-Wish Oregon and other chapters around the country are still open for referrals and meeting with kids and their families virtually. Wish granters are working with families and the organization to grant wishes that don't involve travel or group settings.
"The crazy thing is cancer doesn’t stop, and all these critical illnesses that kiddos have been dealing with forever don’t stop for a virus. And quite frankly it’s a little more scary to be in that situation right now. So we are just part of the team that comes up behind a kiddo and loves them up and kind of makes it a little bit better,” Cook said.