As someone who cares about children, you understand how deeply pediatricians become involved when a child is diagnosed with a critical illness. And pediatricians do more than treat children; they also inspire these kids.

That‘s why today, on National Pediatrician Day, we’re celebrating all the ways pediatricians give hope to wish kids. And we’re asking caring people like you to help grow that hope by making a gift to help grant wishes for kids like Penny.

Wish kid Penny wanted to be just like her heroes — the doctors by her side during her difficult medical journey. When Penny was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, she had to undergo 23 months of cancer treatment. To help Penny process it all, her mom, Andrea, bought her toddler daughter a stuffed monkey wearing a doctor’s coat and stethoscope.

“That was the beginning of Penny wanting to be a doctor,” Andrea said. “She’s not afraid because she was able to live that all out through play.” It made Penny feel better to pretend she was the doctor — the one in charge. And play is a powerful thing.

When it was time to choose a wish, Penny wished for a doctor-themed playhouse! And Penny joyfully thought about her wish during treatment, even as she bravely faced setbacks like losing her vision and some of her hearing.

“For almost an entire year she was telling people, ‘I’m going to be a doctor, I’m getting a clinic,’” Andrea fondly recalled the halo effect of her daughter’s wish selection.

Wishes do more for wish kids than medicine alone can explain. There are countless stories of kids fighting critical illnesses who struggle. Until that child is granted a wish.

Wishes make even the hardest medical treatment a little bit easier. That’s just one reason why they’re so important. Some pediatricians even include wishes in their treatment plans!

Our wish community transformed Penny into a doctor, building a cartoon-inspired “clinic” in her backyard. It’s now the neighborhood playhouse where kids go to share laughs and just be kids.

What better way to honor National Pediatrician Day than by making wishes come true for kids like Penny? Please consider a gift to help grant wishes for children fighting critical illnesses.

Wishfully,
Make-A-Wish^®