North Texas families with critically ill children have long waited for a Make‑A‑Wish experience. More than 1,100 children across the region are on the waiting list, and some families have been waiting over two years for a wish to be granted.

Generous gift targets the backlog

On September 14, during the annual Wish Upon A Par golf tournament, the Donovitz Family Foundation announced a $1.25 million contribution to the organization’s “Two Years, Too Long” campaign. The campaign was launched by Make‑A‑Wish North Texas to bring additional funding to the growing backlog of wish requests.

“Two years is unacceptable because some of these children are sick and they need their wish made,” said Gary Donovitz in an official statement. “It’s about getting your wish, about feeling better, about feeling better about yourself, about bringing your family together.”

Impact expected for children and families

Make‑A‑Wish North Texas CEO Kim Elenez praised the gift, noting that the funding will help hundreds of children receive wishes without enduring a two‑year wait. While the organization has not disclosed exactly how many wishes the donation will fund, the hope is that the infusion of money will accelerate the granting process for families across the Dallas‑Fort Worth metro area.

Gary and Becky Donovitz have personal experience with the wait. Gary recently recounted meeting a child who had been waiting about a year for a wish to travel to Washington, D.C. That encounter reinforced the family’s commitment to the campaign and to supporting other children facing similar delays.

Make‑A‑Wish North Texas outlook

Make‑A‑Wish North Texas estimates that nearly 1,100 children are newly diagnosed with critical illnesses each year. At current funding levels, some eligible children can wait more than two years for a wish. The “Two Years, Too Long” initiative seeks to close that gap by securing additional resources, beginning with the Donovitz family’s generous contribution.

Community members who wish to support the effort can learn more about the campaign and other ways to help through the Make‑A‑Wish North Texas website.

Original reporting: Local Profile (DFW) — read the source article.