Make-A-Wish Mexico is an affiliate of Make-a-Wish International, the world's largest organization granting wishes.

We are present in over 30 countries on five continents since inception Make-a-Wish has accomplished more than 300,000 wishes around the world.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation in Mexico established its office in 2003 in the city of Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, where
we grant the wishes of children whose lives are at risk, in all of Mexico and continue to work every day to meet more wishes in the country.

Make-A-Wish Mexico grants the wishes of each child potentially eligible regardless of economic status, race, religion, etc.

In 2004, we began the challenge of meeting children from all over Mexico and, so far, we have granted wishes in the states of Aguascalientes, Baja California Norte, Colima, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Distrito Federal, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Mexico State, Michoacan, Nayarit, Nuevo Leon, Puebla, Queretaro, Quintana Roo, San Luis Potosi, Veracruz and Zacatecas.

Our Work Reflects the positive impact this kind of experience gives these children, their families and community.

Our mission is that we comply with the wishes of children suffering from any life threatening illness, in order to provide moments of joy and hope and strength.

Our vision is to continue the foundation to be more recognized by society, sponsors and volunteers as a benchmark of reliability among the organizations supporting families and the community, fulfilling the desire of every child in Mexico, from 3 to 18 years of age, suffering from a disease that is life-threatening.

Our values are: Honesty, Respect, Creativity, Loyalty, Trust, Service and Congruence.

Qualify a Child for Their Wish

The purpose of this guide is to provide a list of diseases that qualify a child for their wish. Some of the diseases need to be considered on each case.

Oncology - All cancers which severely impact the quality of life such as:

• All acute and chronic leukemia requiring chemotherapy
• Solid malignant tumors
• Brain tumors
• Children deemed cured after chemotherapy are ineligible unless there is a reoccurrence of the illness

 Hematology  - Chronic diseases requiring transfusions or other chronic therapy such as:

• Aplastic anemias
• Thalassemia major
• Sickle cell disease with complications(cardiac, renal)

Immunodeficiency Disease - Such as:

• Congenital immune deficiency with known limitations of life span or requiring BMT
• Acquired immune deficiency syndrome with symptoms (HIV infection with symptoms or significant immune suppression)

 Metabolic Disease - Such as:

• Severe Diabetes Mellitus
• Gaucher’s disease, with progressive neurological involvement, and other similar conditions

 Neurology - Such as:

• Any brain or spinal cord tumor
• Any progressive or degenerative neurological condition
• Any progressive or degenerative myopathy such as muscular dystrophy, Duchenne or other type
• Any severe congenital malformation, such as Apert's syndrome
• Severe epilepsy where there are poorly controlled and/or recurrent attacks of status epilepticus

 Cardiology - All conditions with heart failure or persistent cyanosis such as:

• Dilated Cardiomyopathy with heart failure
• Non-correctible and palliated congenital heart defects with either heart failure or cyanosis
• Eisenmenger syndrome (severe pulmonary hypertension due to congenital heart defect)
• Transplant patients, prior to surgery, or complications with surgery, or rejections

 Gastrointestinal - Such as:

• Congenital Biliary Atresia
• Severe Short Bowel Syndrome
• End-stage Liver failure  
• Transplant patients, eg. Liver, intestine, pancreas; prior to surgery, or complications with surgery, or rejections     

 Renal - Such as:

• End-stage Renal failure
• Transplant patients, prior to surgery, or complications with surgery, or rejections

 Pulmonary - Such as:

• Complex severe Cystic Fibrosis
• Complex severe Bronchiectasis
• Transplant patients, prior to surgery, or complications with surgery, or rejections

 Trauma - Such as:

• Severe burns – i.e. third degree burns, affecting more than 30% of total body surface area
• Multisystem trauma with permanent disabilities

Refer a Child to Make-A-Wish Foundation

Any child who has a life threatening decease and has attained the age of 3 years but less than 18 years is potentially suitable for a wish.

Respectin the privacy of children and the children themselves, eligible children can be recommended in the following ways:

• Medical professionals treating the child- Such as doctors, nurses, social workers and specialists in the range.
• Parents or legal guardians.

If you want to refer a child living in Mexico or within the country, contact us at info@makeawishmexico.org.mx.

If you want to refer a child out of Mexico, please contact Make-A-Wish International.

The History of Make-A-Wish Foundation

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of America was founded in 1980 in Phoenix, Arizona. It all began because of the simple dream of a boy named Chris. A small group of people helped this very ill little boy achieve his wish - to be a state trooper for a day.

All his life, Christopher James Greicius dreamed of becoming a police officer. But he couldn't know that his wish would be the inspiration for the largest wish-granting organization in the world.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation traces its beginning to one boy's wish. In 1980, 7-year-old Chris Greicius was being treated for leukemia. Every day, he dreamed of becoming a police officer.

U.S. Customs Officer Tommy Austin had befriended Chris and his mother, Linda Bergendahl-Pauling. He also promised Chris a ride in a police helicopter. When Chris' health worsened, Austin contacted Ron Cox, an Arizona Department of Public Safety officer, and planned a day that would lift Chris' spirits.

On April 29, 1980, Austin and a caring group of DPS personnel started Chris' day with a tour of the city in a department helicopter, which also flew him to headquarters. Three cruisers and a motorcycle officer greeted him before his meeting with the DPS command staff. There, Chris was sworn in as the first honorary DPS patrolman in state history.

But his experience didn't stop there. Cox contacted John's Uniforms, which agreed to make a custom-tailored DPS uniform for Chris. The store owner and two seamstresses worked through the night to finish it. The officers presented the official uniform to Chris on May 1 and arranged a motorcycle proficiency test so he could earn wings to pin on his uniform. Needless to say, Chris passed the test with flying colors on his battery-operated motorcycle.

On May 2, Chris was back in the hospital. He asked to arrange the room so he could always see his uniform, his motorcycle helmet and his "Smokey Bear"-style campaign hat. DPS motor officer Frank Shankwitz presented Chris with his motorcycle wings. He accepted them with a smile that lit up the room.

The following day, Chris passed away, but not before seeing his dream come true and experiencing the hope, strength and joy that came from receiving his wish.

Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has enriched the lives of children with life-threatening medical conditions through its wish-granting work. The Foundation's mission reflects the life-changing impact that a Make-A-Wish experience has on children, families, referral sources, donors, sponsors and entire communities.

Since its humble beginnings, the organization has blossomed into a worldwide phenomenon, reaching more than 250,000 children around the world.

Although it has become one of the world's most well-known charities, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has maintained the grassroots fulfillment of its mission.

A network of nearly 25,000 volunteers enable the Make-A-Wish Foundation to serve children with life-threatening medical conditions. Volunteers serve as wish granters, fundraisers, special events assistants and in numerous other capacities.

As the Foundation continues to mature, its mission will remain steadfast. Wish children of the past, present and future will have an opportunity to share the power of a wish.

Become a Volunteer with Make-A-Wish Foundation

You can become a messenger of happiness and joy.

Combining this enthusiasm and commitment to the thousands of volunteers like you give a sick girl or boy a chance to experience wonderful moments.

As members of Make-A-Wish, you acquire skills to grant wishes, create memories full of joy and happiness to be enjoyed by these special children and their families forever.

Regional Office Volunteer - handles office support activities such as: mailing, writing thank-you notes, gathering information, answering phones, sending packages and other activities.

Special Events/Fundraising Funds - Plan, organize and implement successful events fundraising, such as golf tournaments, dinners, cocktail parties, concerts, marathons, fashion shows, etc., and be the leader of committees or help with events taking place.

Professional Help - Support the Foundation with special talents required. For example, to be the graphic designer for publications, events photographer, technical support, or to design a photo album made of desires.

Employees/Enterprises - The companies that have opportunities to offer their employees social responsibility programs are growing and the Make-A-Wish Mexico has several corporate opportunities to create win-win situation for not only the foundation but also to the Company. The opportunities to help a good cause can be supported in carrying out the wishes, supporting the events or volunteering directly in the office of Make-A-Wish.

Schools - Your school can participate in our community social service program, through an agreement with your institution and foundation in supporting our work by volunteering in the social service community.

Granting Wishes (Grant Wish Volunteer) - Volunteers are an integral part in fulfilling the wishes. As a team member, you  will meet the family to define a desire via an interview and act as a liaison between the foundation and the family during the wish-fulfillment.

How You Can Help Make-A-Wish Foundation Mexico

With the support of our sponsors, Make-A-Wish Mexico can give these families a reprieve from the constant demands of the disease. Our desire is to help them escape from the stress of dealing with doctors, hospitals and medical examinations.

There are several ways to help.

Donations are tax deductible.

Cash Donations:

You can go to our offices in Puerto Vallarta, or if you prefer to write a check or deposit to the account of BBVA, following is the information:

Check payable to "Make A Wish Foundation of Mexico AC"
Address: 337-A San Salvador, Col. Dec. 5, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico 48350
Bancomer account: 0141226762

In Kind Donations:

• With the donation of products or services
• With discounts for Make-A-Wish (MAW discount program, department stores/retailers)
• Being a sponsor of an event, or part of it
• Provide awards at fundraising events (To be auctioned or raffled at the event to benefit the foundation)
• Sponsorship from beginning to end granting a wish for a child