Beyond The Wish

In this episode of Beyond the Wish , we explore the lasting effect of a single wish and the legacy it can create long after it’s granted. We’re honored to be joined by Ellen, an extraordinary alumni mom whose late son, Simon, left a legacy far greater than anyone could have imagined. Simon’s wish to attend the Super Bowl brought joy and hope during an unimaginable time, and inspired him to Wish It...

In this episode of Beyond The Wish , we sit down with Elaine Cesar a social worker at Lurie Children's hospital, a passionate advocate for Make‑A‑Wish Illinois and a trusted referral source. From the front lines of pediatric care, she shares a powerful perspective on how the wish journey becomes more than a moment of joy, it becomes a meaningful part of a child’s overall care. Through her firsthan...

At Make-A-Wish Illinois our mission is powered by a community of incredible supporters, in this episode, we're focusing on one of the vital pillars of that support: our corporate partners. Their generosity doesn't just fund wishes—it creates a legacy of hope. Host, Sloan McHugh, sits down with WishMaker John Sbragia, Senior Vice President of Engineering and Quality for GATX, whose commitment to ou...

In this episode of Beyond The Wish , we sit down with wish alum Conor O’Brien to hear his journey from wish kid to volunteer. Conor shares the impact of his wish experience, his continued involvement through the Associate Board, and his excitement for the upcoming I Wish To Party event. 🎉 Join Us at I Wish To Party : Get early bird ticket pricing through December 15th. 📅 Explore More Events: Che...

In this special birthday episode of Beyond The Wish, we celebrate 40 years of hope, joy, and transformation with the founder of Make-A-Wish Illinois, Diane MacWilliams. Diane shares the heartfelt journey of launching the Illinois chapter, from our humble beginnings to becoming a beacon of light for more than 19,000 children and families across the state. Join us as Diane reflects on the early chal...

Mike’s journey with Make-A-Wish Illinois began in 2019 as a wish granter, and his passion quickly led him to join the board of directors. His professional expertise and firsthand volunteer experience have been crucial to the chapter’s growth and stability. He has served in key leadership roles, including leading the Fund Development and Compensation committees, acting as vice chair, and ultimately...

Make-A-Wish serves children who are battling critical illnesses, which involves collaboration from local and national health care providers. From verifying eligible conditions to ensuring that their patients enjoy their wish safely, medical teams are working in the background to make these wishes possible. Medical professionals can learn more about the referral process at wish.org/refer-a-child To...

Wish parent, volunteer, donor, and all-around WishMaker joins us for this episode of Beyond The Wish. His number one recommendation: take the leap and get involved! Visit wishmaker.org/illinois to get involved.

Have you ever wondered how wishes are granted? How do families find out about Make-A-Wish? How does a kid decide what their wish is? Who makes that wish a reality? What happens when the wish is over? Learn all of that and more in this special four-part episode. Last, but certainly not least in this four-part episode, Amy shares the lasting impact of the alumni community. Alumni Facebook Page https...

Have you ever wondered how wishes are granted? How do families find out about Make-A-Wish? How does a kid decide what their wish is? Who makes that wish a reality? What happens when the wish is over? Learn all of that and more in this special four-part episode. In part three, Ariel walks us through the creation phase of the wish journey. The creation team takes a wish from determined to granted, t...

Have you ever wondered how wishes are granted? How do families find out about Make-A-Wish? How does a kid decide what their wish is? Who makes that wish a reality? What happens when the wish is over? Learn all of that and more in this special four-part episode. Watch part 1 here: https://youtu.be/n0ANDjfuzd0 Kayla shares the second step of the wish journey, Onboarding & Discovery. In this step...

Have you ever wondered how wishes are granted? How do families find out about Make-A-Wish? How does a kid decide what their wish is? Who makes that wish a reality? What happens when the wish is over? Learn all of that and more in this special four-part episode. Starting at the beginning, Andrea walks us through the referral process. This is the start of every wish journey, and Andrea is one of the...

Join us for a journey through time as we sit down with Linda, the first Executive Director and longest standing staff member at Make-A-Wish Illinois. Get ready to be inspired by the incredible stories of hope, courage, and the power of a wish. In this special episode, Linda shares her firsthand experiences from the early days of Make-A-Wish Illinois to now. Discover how our chapter grew from Linda...

Join us for the inaugural episode of Beyond The Wish, where we sit down with Stephanie Springs, the inspiring leader behind Make-A-Wish Illinois. In this heartfelt conversation, Stephanie shares her journey with the organization, shedding light on the profound impact of granting wishes to children with critical illnesses. To learn more about Make-A-Wish Illinois and how you can get involved, visit...