Eligibility
The Make-A-Wish Foundation® accepts referrals from the following sources:
- the child
- parent or legal guardian
- a member of the medical community (physician, social worker, child life specialist, etc.)
In order to respect the privacy of children and families, anyone who is not included in the above categories who calls our offices to refer a child will be asked to contact the family or physician to suggest a referral.
We strive always to protect the dignity and privacy of the children and families we serve.
To Refer an Eligible Child
If you are an eligible child, parent or legal guardian of an eligible child, or a medical professional who would like to refer a child, you can reach us in the following ways:
Telephone our office (516) 944-6212 ext. 114
Submit our on-line referral form
If you would like to refer a child who lives outside our geographic area, please contact our national office’s chapter locater to find the appropriate local Make-A-Wish Foundation chapter.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation keeps all wish referral information strictly confidential. We do not actively solicit wishes.Eligibility for a wish is determined on the basis of the following criteria:
Age: At the time of referral, a child must be between the ages of two and a half and under the age of 18.
Medical Criteria: Any child diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition may be eligible for a wish. The child’s treating physician makes the determination of whether the child is medically eligible and whether he or she is medically able to participate in the wish requested.
Wish History: Children who have had wishes granted by Make-A-Wish Foundation or by other wish-granting organizations are not eligible for a second wish experience.
Geographic Eligibility: The Metro New York chapter of Make-A-Wish Foundation accepts referrals of all children residing within the chapter’s territory which includes the five boroughs of New York City (Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island) and Nassau County.
It is the mission and goal of Make-A-Wish Foundation to serve every eligible child in our area.
If you are a member of the medical community and would like additional information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, please contact Ilene Mandell at (516) 944-6212 ext. 104 or by email at imandell@metrony.wish.org
