Watch Wish Child Mirko Inspire with His Wish To Give Toys To Children Hospitalized in Ukraine
HILVERSUM, NETHERLANDS, 16 November 2023
Mirko from Italy was only four years old when he was diagnosed with leukemia. Despite all the hardship he endured, when it came to his wish being granted, Mirko (now nine) thought of other children who might be even less fortunate than him and wished to give toys to children hospitalized in Ukraine. This holiday season, more than 10,000 children worldwide are waiting for their wishes to be granted. Make-A-Wish International is appealing to the public to echo Mirko’s kindness by making a donation to help grant wishes to children living with critical illnesses around the world.
When Make-A-Wish first met him, Mirko spoke of going on a family trip as his wish. But he changed his mind when he heard of the war in his mother’s home country of Ukraine. His thoughts went to the children like him in hospital there and he decided to use his wish to help them. He wanted to get involved personally to do something important for his peers who, in addition to the pain of the disease, are experiencing the terrible impact of war.
Mirko’s altruistic choice inspired an incredible chain of solidarity including Make-A-Wish Italy staff and volunteers, Mirko’s schoolmates and teachers who packed the toys, and partners who delivered the gifts to hospitals in Ukraine. Everyone rallied around Mirko, who was over the moon to know that his wish could bring joy to so many sick children.
“The holidays are a time to gather with our loved ones, indulge in the warmth of the season, and take a break from the stressors of everyday life. But illness doesn’t take a break for the holidays. Mirko's wish inspires us to do everything we can to give joy to children living with critical illnesses this holiday season. Every donation to Make-A-Wish will help restore hope, when it is needed most,” said Luciano Manzo, CEO of Make-A-Wish International.
For further information on Make-A-Wish International or to make a donation visit https://worldwish.org.
ENDS
WATCH/EMDED MIRKO’S WISH VIDEO: https://youtu.be/Kvo0Ypqn8dk
For further information contact:
Niamh Ryan
Senior Manager, PR & Communications, Make-A-Wish International
nryan@worldwish.org / +353 85 734 7991
About Make-A-Wish International
Make-A-Wish creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Founded in 1980, Make-A-Wish is the world’s leading children’s wish-granting organization, having granted more than 550,000 wishes in 50 countries worldwide. Together with generous donors, supporters, staff and more than 30,000 volunteers around the globe, Make-A-Wish delivers hope and joy to children and their families when they need it most. Make-A-Wish aims to bring the power of wishing to every child living with a critical illness because wish experiences can help improve emotional and physical health. For more information about Make-A-Wish International, visit https://worldwish.org
