The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in the United States that arranges experiences described as "wishes" to children with life-threatening medical conditions. In order to qualify for a wish, the child must be between the ages of 3 to 17 at the time of referral. It is the child's physician that ultimately decides if a child is eligible.

The national headquarters and founding chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation are in Phoenix, Arizona. The organization grants wishes through its 61 chapters located throughout the US. Make-A-Wish also operates in 45 other countries around the world through 38 affiliate offices. The President and CEO of Make-A-Wish America is David A. Williams.

History

In the spring of 1980, 7-year-old Christopher James Greicius (August 13, 1972 – May 3, 1980) was being treated for leukemia. He had always wanted to be a police officer. U.S. Customs Officer Tommy Austin befriended Chris and worked with officers at the Arizona Department of Public Safety to plan an experience to lift Greicius' spirits. Chris spent the day as a police officer, rode in a police helicopter, received a custom-tailored police uniform, and was sworn in as the first honorary DPS patrolman in state history. Greicius died soon after, but his wish became inspiration for the world's largest wish-granting organization.