^{Guest article written by Dr. Tammie Chang, hematologist and oncologist at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital}

Since I started working at Mary Bridge in 2015, over 40 of my patients have received a wish. My greatest joy is to introduce them to Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington.

When families ask me about Make-A-Wish, I say, “It’s this incredible organization that creates life-changing experiences for children with critical illnesses.” Then I share examples of what kids have wished for, evoking smiles for my patients and their families.

Knowing that I have a small role to play in extending this hope is fulfilling. A wish becomes a gift for a child and their family, which spills over into the joy we feel as their doctor, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, child life specialists, nutritionists, and nurse coordinators.    

I have countless stories of patients and families who looked forward to their wish for months, sometimes years, until the child was healthy enough to participate in the experience. Having something good to look forward to is medicine for the soul.  

After a wish is granted, the kids and families share their photos and videos with us. They can’t stop talking about how incredible Make-A-Wish was, about how special they felt from the moment a volunteer came to their house to interview the child about their heartfelt wish, to the weeks leading up to the wish, and in the months and years that followed.

From my perspective as their physician, the power of a wish is priceless. Make-A-Wish is a gift, bringing deep joy to the lives of children, their families and to all of us who care for them during a time when there often isn’t much joy to be found.  Thank you for supporting this gift of a wish.