....................................................................................................Profile

 Where wishes come true  

The Make-a-wish Foundation began in the United States in 1980 after a highway patrolman in Arizona helped seven year-old Christopher Greicius realize his dream of becoming a police officer just days before he died of leukemia. From this simple wish the make-a-wish foundation was formed to grant the special wishes of children who have been diagnosed with terminal or life threatening illnesses. Today make -a -wish - foundation is spread across the world in 22 countries. And, now in India too has her very own chapter, founded by Mr and Mrs. Uday Joshi.

The Joshi's mission was inspired by a personal tragedy. In 1990 their 8 year old son Gandhar was stricken by leukemia. Despite been taken to a top American hospital for treatment, Gandhar's condition worsened. Then a social worker from Make-a-wish Foundation approached the Joshi's. Therepresentative asked Gandhar what he wanted. When he said a trip to Disney world, the foundation arranged an-all expenses paid six-day trip for him and his parents.

Sadly Gandhar passed away soon after the trip. "We have very fond memories of the time spent with him there," Gita Joshi says. " After returning we decided to set up an Indian chapter of the make-a-wish-foundation to help children like him."

Says Mr Bugwadia the Administration manager, "We wish to offer a brief respite from their traumatic suffering by first understanding the deep psyche of the child and then realising the child's dream. Wish granting is an exhilarating experience not only for the recipient but also for those involved in the process."

By now more than 1000 wishes have been granted since its inception in 1996- of course this also includes wishes from the chapters in India. Their work entails timely inter-action and co-ordination with the medical fraternity at the various hospitals. It is imperative they work within the constraints of time for them the all important aspect of reality is "now." Hence the need arises for opening their doors to more dedicated volunteers while at the same time downsizing their expenditure.

There have been so many well wishers from various industries that have readily answered their call. However as the number of wishes grow & as more & more of the "wish kids" 'wish' for expensive items like PC's, VCR's & VCD's---people at make -a- wish, wish that many more corporate sponsors/donors would come forward to be their cause related partners for the future and share with them the multi facetted magical "POWER OF A WISH."

Address :
Make a Wish Foundation of India,
Tulsi Pipe Road, Sun Mill Compound,
Vasan Udyog Bhavan, 1st floor, Room No 112,
Mahalakshmi, Mumbai.
Tel. : 4915071/73

E-mail: mawindia@bom5.vsnl.net.in

By : Latika Sidana

Pics by: Vinayak Prabhu