By fulfilling their desires, an organisation is trying to make terminally-ill children happy
You may have many desires which you can eventually fulfil. But there are some children who have their wishes, but can’t fulfil them in their short lifetime. This is because they hail from underprivileged backgrounds and don’t have a long lifespan.
A non-profit organisation Make-A-Wish foundation, which originated in the United States in 1980, understands such feelings of children, who are suffering from life-threatening diseases.
In 1995, Uday and Gita Joshi took their son Gandhar suffering from leukaemia for treatment to the United States of America. Gandhar agreed to go only on the promise that he would get to visit Disneyland. In the course of his treatment, Make-A-Wish Foundation volunteers met Uday Joshi and went to fulfil Gandhar’s wish. His sister, Bhargavi was flown in from India by the foundation to join the family on a six-day trip of Disneyland. Gandhar passed away soon, after their return to India.
Inspired by the joy and magic that the experience had brought into their lives, in a difficult time and in the memory of their child, the Joshis were determined to bring the experience to children with life-threatening illnesses in India. Thus, the Indian affiliate was established in 1996 and since then wishes have been granted to children across the country.
The foundation is dedicated to granting the most cherished wish of children between the ages of three to 18 years, living with life-threatening illnesses, irrespective of their socio-economic status, caste, race or religion.
In another case, Parth, 15, despite his speech impairment expressed a desire to visit Kullu-Manali during the summer vacation to one of the volunteers of Make-A-wish foundation. With the support of the then governor of Himachal Pradesh, Parth was treated as a state guest at the Raj Bhavan and the journey to the valleys became the most cherished trip for him and his family.
Six-year-old Bhavyashree always nursed a dream of growing up and becoming a pilot and flying to different places. Her wish was fulfilled by a team from Hyderabad and she got a chance of seeing what the city looked like from the skies.
Sometimes children wish to meet some celebrities, which the organisation tries to rope in. They also satisfy some by giving them products like cycles, computers, apparel and games. “Many children are unable to articulate their wishes; volunteers play a big role and find out their desires, since they have a short lifespan. But we fulfil those wishes which are ethical in nature with our international guidelines,” said Uday Joshi, founder of the Indian chapter of Make-A-Wish foundation.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation is conducting an event in association with High Street Phoenix till June 6. Shoppers at the High Street Phoenix mall can purchase a coin and throw it into the well, make a wish for themselves as well as for the children suffering from life-threatening illnesses. “All proceeds collected from this drive will help fulfil the cherished wishes of children suffering from grave illnesses in India,” said Alex Coutinho, head of marketing for the mall.
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