Make-A-Wish International seeks support for children facing cancer

Make-A-Wish International is urging donations, fundraising and sharing this Childhood Cancer Awareness Month to help grant wishes for more than 13,000 children across its global network who will be diagnosed with cancer this September. The campaign comes as Dorothee van Vredenburch takes over as president and CEO and as the group highlights the impact wishes can have on children’s health and hope.

Why it matters: - More than 13,000 children across the Make-A-Wish International network are expected to be diagnosed with cancer this September and become eligible for a wish. - The campaign aims to expand access to wishes that can support emotional, psychological and physical wellbeing for children facing cancer. - Make-A-Wish International says wishes can help children rebuild confidence and look toward the future during treatment.

What happened: - Make-A-Wish International launched a Childhood Cancer Awareness Month appeal in September 2026. - The organization is asking the public to donate, fundraise or share the campaign to help grant more wishes worldwide. - Dorothee van Vredenburch is assuming the role of president and CEO of Make-A-Wish International as the campaign begins. - The organization highlighted Jerida, a 16-year-old from Tanzania with squamous cell carcinoma, as an example of how a wish can change a child’s outlook.

The details: - Jerida spent a year working and saving for tailoring school and her first sewing machine before her diagnosis forced her to use those savings for treatment. - Make-A-Wish Tanzania granted Jerida a wish for a sewing machine. - The wish gave Jerida the tools to sew and helped restore her confidence and ambitions. - Make-A-Wish International said each child is unique and each wish is different by country, but the impact is similar. - People can learn more or get involved at worldwish.org.

Between the lines: - The campaign pairs an awareness month with a leadership transition, giving Make-A-Wish International a timely platform to reset attention on its mission. - The Jerida story serves as a concrete example of how the organization frames wishes: not as a one-time gift, but as support for resilience and future planning. - The appeal broadens participation beyond donors by including fundraising and campaign sharing, which suggests Make-A-Wish International wants reach as much as revenue.

What's next: - Make-A-Wish International will continue seeking public support throughout Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. - Donations and fundraising will determine how many additional wishes the organization can grant to children facing cancer. - Dorothee van Vredenburch will lead the organization as it pushes for wider global engagement.

The bottom line: - Make-A-Wish International is using Childhood Cancer Awareness Month to ask for help turning more cancer diagnoses into moments of hope for children around the world.