Steps of Wish Granting

Each wish granting experience is a unique experience for the child, their family, and the Wishing Star Foundation. However, there is a general process by which a child is referred, qualified, and granted a wish.

First Step - Wish Referral

The Wishing Star Foundation accepts wish referrals from anyone.

Second Step - Determining Eligibility

Children between the ages of 3 and 21 with a life-threatening illness are eligible for a wish. They may not have received a wish from another wish-granting organization.

After a child is referred to Wishing Star, the family is contacted by telephone and/or mail. The family fills out a short informational packet, including a "Release of Information" for the physician. Once the packet is returned, the Wish Director sends the appropriate paperwork to the physician listed by the family. The physician determines eligibility as #1 - Life-threatening illness or #2 - Not a life-threatening illness.

Third Step - Identifying the Wish

After the doctor determines that the child has a life-threatening illness, the family is notified and a "Wish Visit" is scheduled. Specially trained volunteers meet with the family and the child. At this time the child makes three wishes.

Once the wishes are recorded and returned to the administrative office, the wish granting team determine the best wish to grant. The volunteer who performed the wish visit notifies the family sharing the wish that will be granted.

Most wishes fall into one of four categories: "I want to go...", "I want to be...", "I want to meet...", or "I want to have...".

Fourth Step - Granting the Wish

Staff and chapter volunteers set out to create a magical experience for the child. It is an experience that will last a lifetime. Every effort is made to include the immediate family in the child's wish. At the conclusion of the wish, staff and volunteers often connect with the family to enjoy the retelling of the wish experience.

Fifth Step - Continuation of Services

The Wishing Star Foundation doesn't forget wish families after the wish has come true. Wishing Star sends each wish child a birthday card every year, as long as the wish child can be contacted. The Christmas Program serves wish families who otherwise might not have Christmas at all. Many wish families return the generosity shown to them by becoming Wishing Star volunteers. Wish families are an excellent source of referrals within their own communities.

The wish experience touches dozens, and often hundreds, of people who help coordinate or are directly involved in the wish.