Make-A-Wish needs Pike volunteers

DAVID HULSE
Posted 8/21/12

MILFORD, PA — Wishes of five children with life-threatening illnesses are probably not being considered by the Make-A-Wish Foundation (MAW) because they don’t know about them, a spokesperson told …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Make-A-Wish needs Pike volunteers

Posted

MILFORD, PA — Wishes of five children with life-threatening illnesses are probably not being considered by the Make-A-Wish Foundation (MAW) because they don’t know about them, a spokesperson told the Pike County Commissioners on August 18.

Maggie O’Brien, director of the MAW Scranton Regional Office, said their studies found that in any year five children in Pike would be diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses, and MAW is not reaching everyone. “There has not been a single Pike referral in 2016,” she said.

O’Brien said she believed that the problem may lie in Pike’s dependence on out-of-county or out-of-state treatment. “Kids are not treated here. They may go to Danville or Lehigh Valley. I suspect that many go to New Jersey, which has its own MAW chapter.”

With a staff of 2.5 persons, they can’t find all the children, and they rely on more than 100 volunteers to help with referrals in the 11 northeastern Pennsylvania counties they serve.

Right now there are only three in Pike County, she said. She said MAW staff can’t approach families, but anyone can refer a child. There are no income qualifications, and children from two-and-a-half to 18 are eligible.

While referrals are necessary, some people may defer, not wishing to discuss critical or fatal illness. But O’Brien noted that not all MAW cases are terminal. Many referrals come from teachers, nurses and religious advisers. “Eighty percent go on to longer lives. The object is to feed hope and joy… Our job is not to talk to them about illness.”

MAW has been working in the area since 1993, and has fulfilled some 65 wishes since then, with two more pending. Although parents and siblings under eight may travel along for wishes, the point is not to fund family vacations. Interviewers look for evidence of a child’s wish.

“We depend on the community to fund wishes. There is no government funding.” Many corporations help, but others don’t. Disney World, a popular wish, provides no price break for MAW.

Many celebrities do help. John Cena, a WWE wrestler, is the number-one grantor of wishes. He’s helped some 600 children, and stays in touch with them afterwards with cards on birthdays and at Christmas. “His character in wrestling is a hero, who overcomes and never gives up. It’s a strong reference for sick children,” O’Brien said.

Other celebrities include Eli and Peyton Manning, LeBron James and Michael Jordan. Jordan invited one child to his golf tournament in Las Vegas, where he met many other celebrities. Another boy from Archibald is a San Francisco 49ers fan. He visited and met the team.

“We provide unique, magical experiences. You can’t provide these, and we can, and we need your help to do it,” O’Brien said. Outcome statistics show that wishes substantially improved children’s emotional health and willingness to comply with treatment and medical professionals believed wishes can influence physical health.

To get involved, contact MAW toll-free at 800/440-9474 or 570/341-9474; or by email at email@pawv.wish.org; or at Facebook, Make-A-Wish Greater PA and WV.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here