Make a Wish - Switzerland
Make-A-Wish Switzerland fulfills the dreams of children with serious illnesses, providing them with magical and unforgettable moments. Every child deserves a childhood filled with joy and hope, far from illness and hospitals.
In close collaboration with doctors and healthcare professionals, the organization allows these children to experience unique adventures, such as meeting their heroes, flying over the Alps in a helicopter, or becoming a chef for a day. These wishes bring comfort and create precious memories for the children and their families.
The goal is to reach more children in Switzerland and offer them unforgettable moments of happiness.
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1. A journey
Children with serious illnesses are often excluded from the joys of childhood. Make-A-Wish offers them the opportunity to rebuild through the experience of having a wish granted. Each wish is unique, designed to reflect the child’s personality and imagination, and is entirely tailored to the child and their family.
A realized wish brings the child well-being, self-confidence, and a positive self-image. The anticipation of a wish gives families the joy of sharing a happy moment during difficult times. The wish brings the family together around a strong and positive moment, creating precious memories and uniting those involved.
For many children, the fulfillment of a wish marks a turning point in their fight against illness. It is not just a fleeting gift, but a carefully planned journey that complements their medical treatment by providing hope, strength, and joy. This process, which can last from a few days to more than a year depending on the situation, strengthens the child’s resilience and helps them better face their illness. Additionally, this experience impacts the lives of participants, including family members, volunteers, sponsors, and other contributors, by offering them moments of great happiness.
The concept of the “Wish Journey” includes different stages, each contributing to the child’s emotional and physical well-being by offering positive and memorable experiences.
2. The Impact of a Wish on Children’s Well-being
The wishes fulfilled by Make-A-Wish have a significant impact on the physical and emotional well-being of seriously ill children. This positive effect is confirmed by the testimonials of families, volunteers, and medical professionals.
Scientific studies show that health professionals recognize the importance of a positive mindset in a patient’s ability to fight illness. They see the wish experience as a powerful force that improves the mental and emotional health of children and their families, thus serving as an effective complement to medical treatments.
A 2015 Israeli study revealed that children who had their wishes granted had more positive future outlooks, more positive emotions, and improved well-being, with fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety.
A 2022 American survey confirmed these findings, indicating that:
- A wish is a crucial element of medical treatment, improving survival chances and aiding psychological recovery.
- Children benefit from a wish by feeling more hope, strength, joy, confidence, self-esteem, quality of life, and well-being.
- Wishes can mark an important milestone in treatment or celebrate its success.
- A wish strengthens family bonds and relationships with loved ones.
- It also helps overcome traumatic stress, despair, depression, and loneliness.
These results demonstrate the importance of wishes in the overall improvement of the well-being of seriously ill children.
