[Hilversum, The Netherlands] – Make-A-Wish® International is proud to announce that Leila Ben Khalifa, renowned media personality, actress, and humanitarian, has joined the global organization as an ambassador. Leila will lend her voice, influence, and passion to help grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses, spreading hope and joy to families across the globearound the world.
LeilBen Khalifa takes up her new role at a pivotal time for Make-A-Wish International, as they recently announced the results of a global research project to demonstrate the impact of their work on the children and families they serve. It showed that wishes have a positive impact on the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of wish children and their families with 98% of wish children and their parents agreeing that the wish experience is important for every child living with a critical illness.*a’s ambassadorship reflects Make-A-Wish International’s belief in the life-changing power of a wish. A wish can help children build the resilience they need to face critical illnesses and provides families with moments of joy, hope, and a sense of normalcy during unimaginably challenging times. Research and experience show that a wish can serve as a turning point in a child’s treatment and recovery, inspiring strength and positivity when it is most needed.
As a new mother to baby Jasmine, Leila feels a special affinity for children’s causes and felt compelled to show her support Make-A-Wish despite a busy schedule that sees her divide her time between Paris and Milan, with work and family commitments taking her all around the world. Born in Tunisia, she also has strong ties to several countries and so supporting an organization which operates internationally, also appealed to her.
“I am honored to partner with Make-A-Wish International and support their incredible mission to bring joy and hope to children with critical illnesses and families around the world,” said Leila Ben Khalifa. “Seeing the impact of a wish- come- true is truly inspiring, and I am excited to help amplify their efforts to grant more wishes and bring smiles to even more children.”
Make-A-Wish International is committed to granting the wish of every eligible child, guided by the belief that a wish can be a game-changer for a child’s emotional and physical well-beingand to that end, they launched two new Affiliates this year in Ecuador and Indonesia. To date, Make-A-Wish has granted more than 585,000 wishes globally, but with a child being diagnosed with a critical illness and becoming eligible for a wish every 25 seconds (across Make-A-Wish International territories)**, Leila’s support will help raise awareness of the vital role Make-A-Wish plays in empowering children and their families during their most challenging times.
As part of her ambassadorship, Leila will collaborate with Make-A-Wish International to engage with communities and supporters globally, support their fundraising initiatives and helping to unlock new opportunities to bring the power of a wish togrant more wishes in the regions she influences more eligible children. To find out more about Together, we can ensure that every eligible child experiences the transformative power of a wish.
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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 585,000 wishes in 50 countries and territories worldwide. Every 25 seconds, a child is diagnosed with a critical illness and becomes eligible for a wish. Wish experiences can restore the childhood stolen by a critical illness diagnosis and improve physical, psychological, and emotional well-being. Together with generous donors, supporters, staff, and more than 27,000 volunteers around the globe, Make-A-Wish brings the power of a wish-come-true to children and their families when they need it most. For more information about Make-A-Wish International, visit worldwish.org.
*https://worldwish.org/theory-of-change/
**https://worldwish.org/prevalence-incidence-research/
Media Contact:
Niamh Ryan
Senior Manager, PR & Communications
Make-A-Wish International
nryan@worldwish.org
