WICHITA, Kansas – The Make‑A‑Wish Missouri & Kansas chapter began a 36‑hour online fundraising drive on Tuesday at 9 a.m., targeting $900,000 to fund wish experiences for children battling critical illnesses across the region.
Brian Miller, vice president of marketing and communications for the organization, explained that every contribution will be matched four times, up to a total of $675,000, effectively amplifying each donor’s impact.
Local children stand to benefit
More than 500 children in Missouri and Kansas are currently on the wish list, including 70 youngsters from the Wichita‑Kansas City corridor. Last year, the chapter granted 380 wishes, providing moments of joy, hope, and healing for families facing the harsh realities of serious disease.
“When a child is diagnosed with a critical illness, their childhood is essentially ripped away,” Miller said. “A wish experience can help restore a sense of childhood and give them something hopeful to hold onto.”
Personal testimony underscores the program’s impact
Bre Melville, now the chapter’s volunteer and outreach manager, shared her own experience. Diagnosed with ovarian cancer at 17, she missed the typical senior‑year routine of classes and homework. Instead, she received a wish for a family trip to Atlantis, which she describes as a lifeline during a dark period.
“We were able to get away, get away from that medical journey, get away from those hospital stays and just really focus on being a family,” Melville recalled. “I still have all of those memories from my trip to Atlantis, and my siblings do as well.”
How to support the campaign
Donors can contribute through the campaign’s dedicated page at charidy.com/wish. All funds raised will be used to bring wishes to life, offering children and their families moments of joy, hope, and strength during some of their most difficult times.
The 36‑hour push reflects Make‑A‑Wish’s commitment to community involvement and the belief that every child deserves a chance to experience the wonder of childhood, even in the face of serious health challenges.
Original reporting: KWCH 12 (Gray) – local — read the source article.
