Supported by tens of thousands of volunteers and donors, the Make-A-Wish Foundation dedicates its efforts to doing exactly as its name suggests: making wishes come true. The organization grants wishes to children suffering from life-threatening medical conditions all over the United States and its surrounding countries, and since its beginning in 1980, thousands of children’s dreams have come true.
While a large number of children’s wishes involve meeting celebrities or traveling to faraway lands, there are a select few that choose to indulge in truly unique experiences. Below are some of the most memorable wishes granted for some truly imaginative children.
Batkid
In what became a nationwide story full of heartwarming acts of selflessness, San Francisco dedicated an entire day to 5-year-old Miles Scott. Miles was suffering from lymphoblastic leukemia when he asked Make-A-Wish to spend a day as Batman’s sidekick. The entire city took part in his wish with thousands of locals coming out to cheer him on, and the streets being decorated to resemble those of none other than Gotham City. Throughout the day, Miles defeated villains, saved damsels in distress and other hostages, and made the city a safer place. Perhaps the best part of this story is the fact that Miles is now in remission, and living a happy, healthy life.
Backyard Baseball
Sam Farris, an 11-year-old baseball fanatic, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma; a cancer affecting his nervous system that forced him to cease participating in baseball. Upon being asked by Make-A-Wish what exactly his wish was, he knew that he wanted nothing more than to play baseball again. The foundation then built an entire field in Sam’s backyard with the help of local volunteers to build the baseball diamond, install an irrigation system, and even a scoreboard. Sam then put together a team of 18 consisting of his closest friends, and played a local junior varsity team, leading to a victory, and a dream come true.
Voice of an Angel
Hong Kong-born Angel was diagnosed with stage three RMS (Rhabdomyosarcoma) as a teenager, which is a sarcoma cancer that can drastically affect the skeletal muscles. After she was approached by the Make-A-Wish Foundation, her dream was to selflessly put on a concert for her friends and family. She even took the time to write her own music, one of her songs (aptly titled ‘Wish’) being recorded and used by the foundation to raise awareness for other Make-A-Wish children and their requests.
Video Game Education
9-year-old Ben who was suffering from leukemia combined his passion for video games with his ability to help others when approached by Make-A-Wish. His wish was to develop a video game that would teach others how cancer affects the body, and how different forms of treatment battle it. Though it seemed like cost would be an issue, Eric Johnston of LucasArts (who also played the role of Batman for Batkid’s Make-A-Wish), stepped forward and offered to develop the game alongside Ben.
Villains within the game were created after real life side effects from chemotherapy, with each being named accordingly. Players could earn shields, health, and ammo from hospitals and pharmacies; aspects of treatment that Ben had gone through himself. The game was downloaded for free by thousands of children, inspiring many throughout the country.