Wishes Can't Wait Telethon phone lines are OPEN!
Phone lines open at 6 a.m. and will close at 7 p.m. To donate by phone, you can call (256) 319-1371.
More than 70 children in North Alabama are waiting for Make-A-Wish Alabama to grant their wishes.
That's why News 19 is partnering with Make-A-Wish Alabama to help fulfill these wishes, because Wishes Can't Wait!
The children who are waiting for their wishes to be granted are all living with a critical illness. Some of those children have spent most of their lives in and out of doctors' offices, hospitals and treatments.
Make-A-Wish helps those children live a life outside of their medical complications by offering them a joyful moment amidst an otherwise difficult time. Whether it's meeting a celebrity, asking for a gift, or planning the trip of a lifetime, Make-A-Wish wants to give every child their dream.
Those wishes make a big impact. Last year, Make-A-Wish surveyed over 3,000 wish alumni, wish parents and medical professionals about the impact of granted wishes. Here's what they found:
Nine out of 10 wish kids reported that the wish experience relieved them from traumatic stress
Nine out of 10 wish parents saw their child's emotional well-being improve with a wish
Nine out of 10 medical providers say a wish increased compliance with treatment
Nine out of 10 medical providers observed that the wish experience has a positive impact on a child's physical well-being and overall quality of life
Eight out of 10 wish kids reported that their wish gave them the strength to fight their critical illness.
The problem is that wishes are expensive. The average wish costs $10,000, and Make-A-Wish relies on donors to grant every single one. 245 children are waiting throughout Alabama, and 78 of them are in North Alabama. Any of those children could be your neighbors, co-workers' kids, or classmates of your own children.
Anyone can donate, including businesses! We encourage business owners in the area to consider Wishes Can't Wait as part of their philanthropy efforts.
We know our viewers have a heart for service, and you prove it over and over again.
The best part is you know your money is staying right here in the state. 100% of the proceeds go to children in our backyard, fighting these unimaginable medical battles.
We are accepting donations right now! If you'd like to donate online, you can donate here. You can also text WISHES to 44834.
Make-A-Wish Alabama has granted over 1,700 wishes since the chapter's founding in 2012.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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