World of Wishes

"After so long in the hospital, it's really nice to let go and let yourself feel pampered and feel special." - Maia Diaz In Episode 31 of World of Wishes, host Richard Kelly sat down with Wish Alumnus Maia Diaz, who reflected on her 2014 wish to go on a Mediterranean cruise. Maia opened up about her journey living with a chronic illness, how her wish inspired her career, and her passion to help br...

"For me, in my heart, I truly believe there is no cancer-free if there is no Make-A-Wish." - Marina Diez In our 30th episode of World Of Wishes, we celebrate the start of Wimbledon with a special guest, Wish Alumnus Marina Diez, who wished to go to Wimbledon back in 2008. As a rising tennis star on her journey to becoming a world champion, Marina opens up about her second chance at life, her newfo...

"I look back and I see a kid really stoked about some science...and I'm still that kid." - Juliana Bach In episode 29 of World of Wishes, Wish Alum Juliana Bach, who wished to be a scientist back in 2007, talked about her life-long love of science. Her wish led her to visit MIT, sparking a passion that has stayed with her ever since. Today, she is pursuing her bachelor's degree in science, continu...

"It's amazing to be able to impact other people's lives that haven't been through what I've been through." - Grace Lightbody In episode 28 of World of Wishes, Wish Alum Grace Lightbody, who wished to go to Hawaii back in 2013, talked about how her wish saved her life. She is a fixture at Make-A-Wish events here in South Florida and is currently in her "giving era." To make a donation that impacts...

In Episode 27 of World of Wishes - Wish Dad Adam Peacock, whose daughter Kinsley wished to go on a Disney cruise in 2020, talks about how she spent her 6th birthday in style with Mickey, Minnie and their friends. Adam speaks about Kinsley's brave battle with retinoblastoma, the impact of the wish experience, how their charity - Kinsley's Cookie Cart - was born, and the impact they're making on chi...

"Being able to watch a basketball game that close will forever be one of the coolest things in my life." - Tyler Gutzmer In episode 26 of World of Wishes, Wish Alum Tyler Gutzmer, who wished to be a Miami HEAT Broadcaster back in 2012, talked about how his real-life heroes treated him like family. Tyler spoke about how his wish still resonates with him today - more than 11 years later! To make a d...

In Episode 25 of World Of Wishes, Make-A-Wish Board of Directors - Gal Bensaadon and Brian Exelbert - discuss founding Wings For Wishes - a chicken wing competition and premiere block party in its' 10th year. They also talk about what's in store for this years' event and how they've turned their passion into granting hundreds of wishes for children throughout their communities. Your generous suppo...

It's been 1 Year of World of Wishes!​ In Episode 24 of World Of Wishes, we’re calling back to our first episode and sitting down with our chapter’s President & CEO, Norm Wedderburn.​ He discussed the state of our chapter - Make-A-Wish Southern Florida, running a non-profit in today's world, the opening of the Finker-Frenkel Wish House in Miami (coming soon!), and much more. Thank you for suppo...

In Episode 23 of World of Wishes, Wish Granter and Volunteer - Shelby Ruebens, talks about her decade-long tenure of volunteering for Make-A-Wish where she has granted over 125 wishes! Listen now to hear stories on her favorite wishes and her perspective on how wishes are so powerful and long-lasting for the children that receive them. Learn about how YOU can make wishes come true like Shelby at h...

"I was blown away by the entire experience." - Tajhira Omphroy In episode 22 of World of Wishes, Wish Alum Tajhira Omphroy, who wished to meet Miami Dolphins legendary quarter-back Dan Marino in 1994, spoke about how her wish helped get her through some dark days following her transplant. Tajhira's entire family joined her for her wish and she explains how that enhanced the entire experience for h...

"It [my wish] was a push in life that I needed, being so sad and depressed of being so sick, to tell me - I have a purpose in life, I'm meant to do this just like he is, and I'm going to do it because I have somebody behind me in my corner telling me 'you got this!' and 'you're gonna make it happen.'" In episode 21 of World of Wishes, Wish Alum Jill Sharkey - who wished to meet celebrity make-up a...

In Episode 20 of World of Wishes - Wish Dad, volunteer, and Wish Granter - Joel Nagelbush, whose son Justin wished to meet Spiderman at Disney World many years ago, talked about how the wish created a spark to do more. In the year since - Joel has helped grant dozens of wishes that created memories for wish kids and their families that they'll remember forever! Learn more about how YOU can become...

"Whether you're in the hospital or not, the news still comes on in the morning, the ocean is still rolling, and the sun still rises. Once I realized that things keep going in nature and things keep going on in the world - The world doesn't stop for you, you have to keep going." In episode 19 of World of Wishes, Wish Alumnus Neeley Heilman spoke about her wish back in 2019 to go to Amsterdam and ph...

September 30th, 2023 is #InternationalPodcastDay! Thank you for supporting the World of Wishes Podcast and listening to the amazing stories of wishes from the perspectives of wish alumni, parents, medical professionals, and more. In episode 18 of World of Wishes, Wish Alumnus Megan Taylor, spoke about her week-long wish to go to California for the Ocean's 11 Premiere back in 2005. She reflected on...

In Episode 17 of World of Wishes, Wish Dad and Wish Granter - Nick Kordenbrock, whose son Spencer received a custom themed golf cart back in 2019, spoke about how the golf cart helped improve the quality of life for his son and inspired him to become a wish granter! He describes the amazing feeling of paying it forward to other wish families and getting to be a part of the wish experience. Learn m...

"It's more than just the wish...It's the hope that the wish brings." In celebration of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, we are looking back on Wish Alumnus, Remi Storch, who wished to go to Walt Disney World® back in 2005! Now 25 and living in Tampa Bay, Remi reflects on her wish 18 years ago and how that changed her family's outlook on life. To make a donation that impacts a child's life, click...

"This magical wish brought her back to life. " In Episode 15 of World of Wishes, Wish Mom, Mindy Brown talked about her daughter's wish in 1992 to go to Walt Disney World® . She discusses how being a Wish Granter for over 30 years with 200+ wishes granted is the most meaningful part of her life! Learn more about how YOU can make magical wishes come true for wish kids like Sandy at https://wish.org...

"I remember every detail from start to finish [...] It was a day I'll never forget." In the 14th episode of World of Wishes, former Wish Kid, Max Costanzo talked 15 years later about how meeting Miami Heat legend Dwayne Wade in 2008 had a significant impact on his life. Dwyane Wade granted more than 30 wishes during his playing days with the Heat, making him one of our most requested local celebri...

In Episode 13 of World of Wishes, Advisory Board Member for Tampa Bay and Wish Granter - Amanda Beauvais, spoke about her volunteer experience at Make-A-Wish since 2015 and how being a Wish Granter brings her joy. Learn about how YOU can make wishes come true like Amanda at https://wish.org/sfla ! Be sure to follow us @makeawishsfla on Instagram , Facebook , YouTube , Twitter , TikTok , and Linked...

In Episode 12 of World of Wishes, Wish Mom - Stephanie LeDuff, whose daughter Libbi went to Walt Disney World® earlier this year, spoke about how Libbi's wish was a victory lap for her family and for her daughter who overcame tough battles with Wilms Tumor. Stephanie also talked about their experience at Give Kids The World Village® and how Libbi's reactions are "locked in her forever!" Learn more...

In Episode 11 of World of Wishes, Kelley McCarthy - Pediatric Oncology Nurse and Make-A-Wish Volunteer, talked about how rewarding the Wish Granting experience is for her personally, and how professionally she can truly see the impact that the wishes have on Wish Kids before/after their wish comes true. Learn more about how YOU can refer a child today at https://wish.org/refer-a-child. Kelley is 1...

"Wishes aren't just some vacation. They are victory laps. They are reaching the summit. It's the light at the end of the tunnel ." In the 10th episode of World of Wishes, former Wish Kid, Robert Sanchez talked about how his Greek Isles Cruise in 2018 brought his family closer together and provided them the feeling of conquering a milestone in his life. See photos from Robert's wish here! Donate yo...

"No matter what is going on in my head to want to do, no matter how crazy it seems to the outside world, I met Cher . How much more crazy do you get than that?" To commemorate Cher's birthday on May 20, 2023, Episode 9 of World of Wishes features former Wish Kid, Katarina Alshaier who talked about how meeting Cher backstage at a concert in 2004 helped her overcome her fears and nerves. Check out p...

“The wish helped her find joy for the first time ever in her life. It taught us as parents to find joy in everything - it’s just so powerful.” In Episode 8 of World of Wishes, Jill Heilman talked about her experience as a Wish Mom of 3 Wish Kids - Hallie, Ben, and Neeley. She spoke about how wishes are rejuvenating for the entire family and gives them a break from their medical world that they des...

"It [my wish] made me realize now I have this huge life ahead of me and it's hard to put into words." In Episode 7 of World of Wishes, former Wish Kid, Marina Armas talked about how her "live life like you stole it" motto was incorporated into her wish and how it set the tone for the rest of her life. Donate your unused airline miles today through Wishes in Flight® at https://wish.org/sfla/airline...