Our Maine Street's Aroostook Issue 28 : Spring 2016 | Page 19

By Make-A-Wish Maine Chapter

Make-A-Wish is a Maine movement powered by
Mainers to grant wishes right here in our state.
This movement is a true phenomenon that is
reserved for Maine’s sickest kids.

emotional well-being. That’s where Make-A-Wish
comes in; they ensure all facets of the child’s wellbeing are attended to. It’s been proven time and
again that mind over matter helps heal. In fact,
74% of parents say that the wish marked a turning
During a time when hope is gone, finances are point in their child’s response to treatment. Wishes
dwindling from medical care, and childhood are that important. While diseases disrupt, we
innocence is replaced with worry and fear, Make- know wishes renew.
A-Wish comes in. They connect with families
during some of their darkest days and offer hope We rely heavily on the support of Maine donors
that things will improve, strength to get through and volunteers to grant wishes. We couldn’t do
what might seem impossible, and the boundless our work without our Maine communities leaning
joy that a magical, heartfelt wish empowers.
in. At Make-A-Wish, it really does ‘take a village’
to make wishes happen.
A pediatric oncologist who refers kids to MakeA-Wish considers a wish part of his treatment According to Sonya Purington, director of
plan. In many instances when he sees the child marketing at Make-A-Wish Maine, “one area in
hit their lowest low, he introduces Make-A- particular that shows robust, selfless commitment
Wish. It’s a promise that gives them some of to making wishes happen is Aroostook County.”
their lost childhood back. They’re in control and a Last year, these six kids battling a life-threatening
magical wish of their choosing serves as a positive illness in Aroostook county experienced the life
distraction to the disease that has disrupted every changing effect of a wish.
facet of their lives.
This year, Make-A-Wish has already granted two
Another doctor shared that while he’s trained to wishes to kids in the county. The most recent
handle the most complex diseases, the medical wish granted is one that drew in the support
community is not equipped to address the child’s from volunteers in the Presque Isle area. ThirteenSPRING 2016

17