Make-A-Wish® brings attention to Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

PHOENIX, Sept. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- This September, for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Make-A-Wish^® is rallying against the illness that impacts nearly 60% of the thousands of wish kids who received a wish last year. Throughout the month, cancer-related wish stories – like that of 12-year-old Briana – will be shared, along with messages of support, on Make-A-Wish social media channels and the national website, wish.org.

Briana wished more than anything to see the magical city of Paris. The anticipation of the wish trip gave Briana the strength and motivation to deal with her uncomfortable cancer treatments. Briana reflecting back on her wish stated, "There are no words to describe how amazing all of this was and how happy you have made me. Seeing the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral and Louvre up close will stick with me forever."

Briana's wish was made possible by a $1.29 million charitable donation from Bristol-Myers Squibb to Make-A-Wish. This contribution brings the total donation from Bristol-Myers Squibb to more than $2.5 million in the last two years as a national sponsor of Make-A-Wish. Bristol-Myers Squibb, an industry leader in the discovery and development of innovative treatments for cancer and other serious illnesses, chooses to support Make-A-Wish, in part, because of the impact a wish-come-true can have on a child battling a critical illness.

"We understand the important role emotional health plays in a person's fight against cancer and other critical illnesses, and so we are proud to support Make-A-Wish and the remarkable work they do to bring hope, happiness and inspiration to children diagnosed with critical illnesses and their families," said Adam Lenkowsky, senior vice president, U.S. Oncology, Bristol-Myers Squibb.

"When a child is diagnosed with a critical illness, the carefree fun of childhood tends to be overshadowed by fear, anxiety and discomfort," said David Williams, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish America. "Thanks to the support of donors and sponsors, including the $2.6M donation from Bristol-Myers Squibb, wish kids throughout the country have been able to replace the negativity of their illness with hope, strength and healing."

Make-A-Wish will continue to highlight stories throughout September that show how wishes impact the lives of children dealing with cancer. To learn more and find out how you can get involved, visit wish.org.

ABOUT MAKE-A-WISH
Make-A-Wish creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. We seek to bring every eligible child's wish to life because a wish is an integral part of a child's treatment journey. Research shows children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight their illness. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Make-A-Wish is the world's leading children's wish-granting organization, serving children in every community in the United States and in more than 50 countries worldwide. Together, generous donors, supporters, staff and more than 35,000 volunteers across the U.S., grant a wish every 34 minutes, on average, somewhere in the country. Since 1980, Make-A-Wish has granted more than 300,000 wishes to children in the U.S. and its territories; more than 15,400 in 2017 alone. For more information about Make-A-Wish America, visit wish.org.

SOURCE Make-A-Wish

Related Links

http://wish.org