How Wishes Happen
- The Wish Referral
If you know a child who has reached the age of 2-1/2 but has not yet had their 18th birthday, who might qualify for our services, please consider referring the child to Make-A-Wish. Call us at (303) 750-9474 or (800) 366-9474 toll-free in Colorado and to refer a child for a wish. Parents, guardians, medical professionals. social workers or the child themselves make the initial call.
- Medical Eligibility
The child's physician is the only person who can officially qualify a child for a wish. The physician confirms that the child is eligible for a wish according to Make-A-Wish criteria. If the child does not qualify, the family will be notified immediately.
- The Wish Interview
If the child qualifies for a wish, a team of trained wish granting volunteers is assigned to interview the child and family to learn the child's wish. First and second wish choices are always recorded in case the first wish cannot be granted for any reason. The Colorado chapter does not grant wishes for vehicles, real estate or any wish involving weapons or gambling.
- Fulfilling the Wish
Once the child's wish is determined, Make-A-Wish staff submit a Wish Authorization Form to the child's physician for approval of the wish.
About a week prior to the wish, a packet of information is delivered to the family. For travel wishes, the packet includes airline tickets, spending money and the trip itinerary.
- Wish Follow-up
After the wish is fulfilled, wish families are asked for feedback on the wish experience. This feedback is valuable in making sure our wishes are of the highest quality.