General FAQs

Does a child’s condition have to be terminal to qualify for a wish?

No. Make-A-Wish Philippines grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses, the foundation has this official list of illnesses to cross check with a potential wish child. A child need not be in the terminal stage to be a candidate for a wish grant.

Are there any restrictions on a wish?

Each Make-A-Wish® chapter follows specific policies and guidelines for granting a child's wish. The physician also plays a major role in determining whether the child's condition will permit a particular wish to be coordinated safely. Foundation volunteers work closely with the wish child's physician to determine the wish granting concept and the most appropriate time to grant the wish, keeping in mind the child's treatment protocol or other concerns. Make-A-Wish® Philippines does not grant any monetary and medical wishes in any form. The foundations does not grant wishes that may be harmful to the wishchild, wishfamily or its volunteers. page up ↑

Does the family have to pay for the wish?

No. All wish expenses are fully covered, including all travel and spending money when appropriate. One of Make-A-Wish® Philippines' objective is to create a memorable wish experience for both the child and family that is not clouded by financial concerns. page up ↑

How much does a wish-granting cost?

The cost associated with coordinating a wish varies depending on the type of wish. Because each wish is so unique, there is no particular average cost of a wish. page up ↑

Does the family have to meet income requirements?

No. Family income is not a consideration in determining whether a child is eligible to receive a wish. page up ↑

Do you grant wishes to adults?

No. Make-A-Wish® Philippines only grants wishes to children 3 years old to 18 years old, who are referred to the organization and determined to be eligible for a wish grant. However, there are other wish-granting organizations that grant wishes to adults. The foundation may refer them. page up ↑

What if the family does not want publicity?

We respect and protect a child's and family's right to privacy. Publicity will never be done without permission, and a family may decline publicity at any time. Of the more than 160,000 wishes fulfilled only a tiny fraction has been given publicity. The sole aim of the publicity is to help share the wish granting experience. page up ↑

What if the child or the family asks for medical assistance?

Make-A-Wish does not grant medical assistance in the form or cash nor in-kind. However, volunteers are welcome to support them in their own personal capacity. Volunteers are not allowed to seek medical support using the name of Make-A-Wish Philippines. page up ↑

Won’t accepting a wish mean we’ve given up hope for the child’s recovery?

We have frequently been described in the media or by word of mouth as granting wishes for children with "terminal" illnesses. It is much more correct to say that we grant wishes to children with "life-threatening illnesses." Many people incorrectly believe that we grant wishes only to children who are dying, when in fact, we see the process of making a wish as life-affirming and full of hope. Families tell us that a wish can encourage a child to fight for a future, often against tremendous odds, when courage and hope are fleeting. Our wish children who are now entering pre-adulthood would attest to this! page up ↑

Are some families reluctant to accept a wish because it feels like taking charity?

There are several reasons why a family might hesitate to call us. A family might feel, for example, that they could grant a wish for their child themselves. We have found, however, that some parents cannot find the physical, psychological and financial resources to carry out complex plans when day-to-day life requires so much from them. In addition, a wish often requires more than money for its implementation. A desire to meet a personal hero, getting VIP seats in a PBA Basketball game, a wish to meet the President Philippines, be a priest for a day or be a model for Seventeen Magazine may be something that parents alone cannot facilitate. Again, we do not just give what a wish child wants, we create an experience infused with hope and happiness that is shared by everyone and fondly remembered. page up ↑

We can afford to pay for a wish ourselves. If we accept this, will this be unfair to other, less fortunate families?

All medically-qualified children are eligible for a wish, regardless of family income. Even if a family can afford to fund the wish themselves, we seek to bring elements of surprise, magic and fun to the wish experience that many families could not achieve because of the daily stresses and emotional trauma of having a seriously-ill child. page up ↑