In every life-changing Wish for children with critical illnesses and their families, there are hopes as they start to long for something to happen and make a difference; there is happiness when they find their wishes are realized; there are always what goes beyond our imagination.
The Wish impact on children with critical illnesses and their families has been recognized by healthcare professionals. By having Wish and medical treatment supplementing and complementing one another, a Make-A-Wish experience can encourage Wish Children to stay positive in the treatment and embrace the challenges arising from illnesses. To children’s families as a whole, a Wish can help replace fear and stress with hope and optimism. The earlier the children take part in the Wish Journey, the earlier they can enjoy the positive outcomes of the process.
96%
Wish families believed Wish helps strengthen family bonding.
89%
Healthcare professionals recognized Wish impact in the way that Wish and medical treatment supplement and complement each other.
97%
Wish families observed an improvement in their Wish Child’s emotional health brought by a Wish.
81%
The family agreed that Wish raises children’s willingness to undergo the treatment. It will make a turning point to their response to the treatment.
86%
Wish families agreed that Wish improves their Wish Child’s quality of life, bringing them hope and optimism.
NCH researchers reported that paediatric patients who were granted a wish were less likely to have unplanned hospital admissions and less likely to visit the emergency department.
Source: 2011 Wish Impact Study of Make-A-Wish International, 2018 Study: ‘Impact of a Make-A-Wish experience on healthcare utilization’ by Anup D. Patel, Peter Glynn, Ashley M. Falke, Megan Reynolds, Richard Hoyt, Allison Hoynes, Melissa Moore-Clingenpeel, Ann Salvator & Jennifer J. Moreland – October 2018.
Honorary Professor, Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong
Acts as supplement and complement to conventional medical treatments
“A Wish is not a luxury. It brings positive impact to treatments, brings joy to the children, and empowers them to comply with the medical treatments bravely. It is a turning point to their treatment journey. The earlier they start the Wish Journey, the earlier they can enjoy the benefits.”
Professor, Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong
Improves Wish Children’s quality of life and mental health
“When a child got ill, the whole family suffers from fear and stress. Through a Wish Journey, they are able to put down the fear and stress. They become more optimistic and regain strengths to prepare for upcoming challenges.”
If you have any questions about the wish process, please contact us at:
Email: wish@makeawish.org.hk
Tel: (852)3101 9688
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