Make-A-Wish Foundation of Orange County and the Inland Empire

Together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.

Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire (OCIE) has a singular mission – creating life-changing wishes for children battling critical illnesses in our local communities. Make-A-Wish traces its history and inspiration back to 1980 and, more specifically, a 7-year-old boy named Chris Greicius and his inspiring wish to become a police officer.
While Chris battled leukemia, the local community came together to make his wish of becoming an Arizona State Trooper come true and, in the process, sparked a 45-year wish granting movement that has grown to 57 chapters in the United States and over 50 countries.

In 1983, Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire became the seventh chapter founded and, with the help of over 300 incredibly generous and selfless volunteers, has since granted the wishes of 9,100 children in Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties.

A wish may begin with a dream, but its impact can reach far beyond the wish itself. Research and the experiences of our wish families and medical partners show that wishes can contribute to a child's emotional well-being and support better health outcomes. A wish may last a day, but its impact can last for a lifetime. Fear gives way to hope, isolation gives way to connection, and illness no longer defines every moment. Medical providers report that the Wish Granting program improves children's emotional health, increases hope and resilience, helps children cope with the challenges of treatment and supports better overall health outcomes.

This past year, Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire granted 273 life-changing wishes for local children facing critical illness. Each wish represents a child who was given hope, strength, and joy during a challenging medical journey. The community impact is profound; children experience increased joy and resilience; parents and siblings gain much needed respite from daily stress, and local volunteers and partners feel a deeper connection to the cause. Together, these outcomes strengthen the overall well-being of our community and demonstrate the transformative power of each wish.

Each year, hundreds of children in Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties are diagnosed with critical illnesses that change their lives and the lives of their families. Instead of focusing on school, sports, birthdays, and time with friends, many of these children spend their days attending medical appointments, undergoing treatments, and coping with uncertainty about their future. Families face emotional stress, financial strain, and difficult caregiving responsibilities while trying to support their child through a serious health crisis.

Every 20 minutes a child is diagnosed with a critical illness. These diagnoses affect not only a child's physical health but also their emotional well-being. Many children experience fear, anxiety, loneliness, and sadness as they endure long hospital stays and challenging treatments. Children battling critical illnesses need help coping with the fear, stress, and isolation that often accompany their medical journey. Research has shown that there is a strong link between the child’s emotional well-being and their physical well-being proving that healthier outlooks on life lead to healthier bodies.

As more children survive serious illnesses, thanks to advances in medicine, the need for emotional support and opportunities to improve quality of life continues to grow. Right now, there are 395 children with critical illnesses in our local communities waiting for the transformative power of a wish. Beyond those 395 families, our chapter receives an average of 35 new medical referrals each month introducing us to yet another child and family dealing with a critical illness. One of our greatest challenges we have is matching the growing number of wish requests with the resources needed to fulfill them. Every wish is unique and costs, on average, more than $10,000. Without strong community investment through funding, volunteerism, and in-kind contributions, many children would wait far too long for their transformative experience.

Serving over 28,000 square miles in Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.

At Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire, our mission is simple yet powerful: to grant life-changing wishes that bring hope, joy, and strength to children facing critical illnesses. Every day, we meet brave kids across Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties who are undergoing intense medical treatments. Their courage and dreams remind us why wishes matter. A wish is more than a moment of celebration; it is a turning point. We see children light up with confidence and families find renewed strength as they experience the magic of a wish fulfilled. But we can’t do this alone. Your support makes every wish possible, from a backyard playset that helps a child in recovery, to a trip that offers a family precious time together. We remain steadfastly committed to our mission: to ensure that every eligible child receives the gift of a wish. Together, we can continue to bring hope, joy, and strength to every child who needs it most.

Granting Wishes Together,

Anne Grey
President & CEO
Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire