Make-A-Wish United Arab Emirates joined the world on World Wish Day, the global celebration of wish granting, on Sunday April 29 by fulfilling a 10 year-old girl Shivani to be a princess and host a cupcake party.
The wish will be among the hundreds granted on World Wish Day in 48 countries served by the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
World Wish Day is organised by the Make-A-Wish Foundation to commemorate the anniversary of the wish that inspired the creation of what is now one of the world's leading children's charities. Seven-year-old Chris Greicius' wish to be a police officer was granted in Phoenix, Arizona, USA by volunteers from several law-enforcement agencies on April 29, 1980.
"Everyone has the opportunity to join the world in celebrating wishes around the globe this World Wish Day. A wish improves the life of the wish child and everyone is touched by that wish. World Wish Day allows people from all over the world to come together to help make more wishes come true,” said Rita Bains, Make-A-Wish UAE Board Director. “This year, we ask individuals in our community to join the world by celebrating Shivani's wish and by taking part in World Wish Day celebrations in their communities."
Wishes granted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation typically fall into one of four categories: To Be (e.g., a ballerina, a firefighter), To Meet (e.g., a favourite celebrity or athlete), To Have (e.g., a computer, a playhouse), or To Go (e.g., to a theme park, to Hawaii). To date, the foundation has granted the wishes of more than 290,000 children worldwide.
"World Wish Day recognises the global appeal of our mission and making life better for seriously ill children by granting their fondest wishes," Reem Al Fahim, Make-A-Wish UAE Board Director, said. "People can help wishes come true for other children in the UAE every day, and it's easier than they think."
The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. The foundation is one of the world's leading children's charities, serving children in 48 countries on five continents. With the help of generous donors and more than 30,000 volunteers worldwide, Make-A-Wish grants a wish somewhere in the world every 23 minutes.
Make-A-Wish UAE was established in 2003, since then it has granted the wishes of over 600 children with life threatening medical conditions. With two main offices in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Make-A-Wish grants wishes to children aged 3-18 residing in the UAE.