Make-A-Wish Wyoming reaches a milestone

Make-A-Wish Wyoming has announced they are celebrating a milestone. At their Annual Stories of Light Gala on Nov. 11, the organization granted the 37th wish, marking the most wishes ever granted in a single year. With a little over a month to go and several wishes still in progress, Make-A-Wish Wyoming has stated that their record-breaking wish-count will no doubt continue to climb. 

According to Make-A-Wish Wyoming, statistically, a child is diagnosed with a critical illness every week here in the Cowboy State. However, many of these children are not referred to Make-A-Wish Wyoming because of the misconception that only terminal conditions qualify for a wish. Because of this, Make-A-Wish Wyoming is working to bring awareness to the qualifying conditions that make a child eligible for a wish. 

“This year, more kids than ever got to experience the hope and joy that only a wish can bring. Something like this doesn’t just happen; it took so many people to make each and every one of these wishes possible. I am just so grateful for our community and what they will do for our wish kids,” Make-A-Wish Wyoming CEO, Morgan Poloncic, said in a statement.

The wish that broke the record was Make-A-Wish Wyoming’s 37th wish which was granted at the Stories of Light Gala to 15-year-old Alyx from Casper. Alyx’s wish for a horse trailer was also granted in the same week she rang the bell commemorating the completion of her cancer treatment.

Make-A-Wish Wyoming reports that countless work and support have contributed to this milestone. From donors going above and beyond for a wish kid, to the volunteers helping wishes come to fruition, Make-A-Wish Wyoming understands these milestones are met due to the support of the community.  

“We have an amazing staff, board, and volunteers around the state, but at the end of the day, none of this happens without our donors. Make-A-Wish Wyoming doesn’t exist without our donors. We’re beyond grateful that so many people came together and helped us grant the most wishes ever in a year,” Poloncic said. 

With so many ways to get involved with a wish, the organization encourages the community to consider the impact made by donating a few dollars, volunteering your time, or by donating airline miles. 

“We are excited to break this record, but our work is far from done. Currently, we have 38 wishes we are working to grant across the state, and every dollar truly makes a difference. You may not remember donating $10 to Make-A-Wish Wyoming 10 years from now, but the child whose wish was made possible because of it will never forget it. Every child battling a critical illness deserves to experience the hope and joy that comes from having their greatest wish come true,” Poloncic said.

To learn more about Make-A-Wish Wyoming, click here.