Respite, Experiences & Wish Granting

A Special Wish Foundation

A Special Wish Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to granting the wishes of children under the age of 21 who have been diagnosed with a life-threatening disorder. Founded in 1982, A Special Wish Foundation was one of the first wish-granting organizations in the United States, and now has chapters across the U.S. and one in Moscow, Russia. Since 1982, wishes have been granted to thousands of qualifying children (description from site).

Dream Factory

The Dream factory grants dreams to critically and chronically ill children from the ages of three through eighteen. The Dream Team of volunteers roll up their sleeves and get to work making reservations, finding contacts for celebrities, sports figures and other famous people, finding gifts-in-kind and other volunteers. In essence, whatever it takes to make a dream come true that will provide a memorable and inspirational experience for the children and families alike (description from site).

Make-A-Wish Foundation

Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation® has given hope, strength and joy to children with life-threatening medical conditions. From humble beginnings with one boy’s wish to be a police officer, they’ve evolved into an organization that grants a child’s wish in the U.S. every 40 minutes (description from site).

Starlight Children’s Foundation

For more than 25 years, Starlight Children’s Foundation has dedicated itself to improving the quality of life for children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses and life-altering injuries by providing entertainment, education and family activities that help them cope with the pain, fear and isolation of prolonged illness (description from site).

First Decents

Provides life-changing outdoor adventures for young adults (ages 18-39) impacted by cancer and other serious health conditions.

Believe In Tomorrow Children’s Foundation

Unique healing environment of hospital and retreat housing facilities, where families find hope and comfort. Since 1986, Believe In Tomorrow has provided over 300,000 overnight accommodations, helping families stay together in the midst of a medical crisis (description from site).

Camp Sunshine

Camp Sunshine provides retreats combining respite, recreation and support, while enabling hope and promoting joy, for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families through the various stages of a child’s illness.

Camp Sunshine’s program is offered year-round and has the distinction of having been designed to serve the entire family in a retreat model. The program is free of charge to families and includes on-site medical support. A bereavement session is also offered for families who have experienced the death of a child from a supported illness.

Hole In the Wall Gang Camp

Through summer sessions and family weekend programs at the Camp in Ashford, Connecticut, and year-round outreach to hospitals and clinics throughout the Northeast, the Camp serves more than 20,000 children and family members annually. All services are free of charge.