History

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Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has worked to share the power of a wish® with children around the world who have life-threatening medical conditions. It all began with the simple dream of a Phoenix boy named Chris to be a police officer for a day. Chris' friends and family made his wish possible, and after seeing the impact the wish had on Chris, his family and even the community, his friends formed the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Now, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has 69 chapters in the United States and its territories, and 28 international affiliates. To date, the Foundation has granted more than 144,000 wishes worldwide and is the largest wish-granting organization in the world.

In 1986, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Washington State was founded to reach children throughout Washington. In 2000, the chapter expanded its territory, enabling it to serve children throughout Alaska, Montana, and Northern Idaho in addition to Washington State.

Today, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Alaska, Montana, Northern Idaho & Washington grants more than 250 wishes each year to children with life-threatening medical conditions. The Make-A-Wish family includes hundreds of committed volunteers, thousands of donors, and more than 3,300 children who have had their most heartfelt wishes come true.