Referrals: Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who can refer a child to the Make-A-Wish Foundation®?

• A: A child must be referred by the child him or herself, the child’s parent or legal guardian or a medical professional with direct knowledge of the child’s care.

Should you not qualify as a referral source, but know a child that might be eligible for a wish, we suggest directing the child or their parents to our website for more information.

Once a child’s referral is received by the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Greater Virginia, a wish trained volunteer or staff member will contact the child’s parent(s) or legal guardian(s) to confirm the referral and start the eligibility process.

Q: How is a child referred to the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Greater Virginia?

• A: There are several ways a child can be referred to the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Greater Virginia. Referrals are received by mail, phone, fax, or internet.

Contact the Greater Virginia chapter directly at our Richmond Headquarters office:
2810 N. Parham Road, Suite 302
Richmond, VA 23294
Phone: (804) 217-9474
Fax: (804) 217-9484
info@va.wish.org

Please remember to give pertinent contact information for someone to be able to contact you back in a timely manner should you send a referral.

If you make a referral online through the Greater Virginia chapter website or the Make-A-Wish Foundation® National website the referral is directed to the chapter based on the zip code provided on the referral form. Please make sure to provide the CHILD’S home address so the referral can be given to the correct chapter and the eligibility process can begin in a timely manner.

A referred child’s wish is granted by the chapter that covers the child’s home address zip code, but the referral can be given from any location. If the child is being medically treated outside of the regions covered by the Greater Virginia chapter, the wish would still be covered by the Greater Virginia chapter.

Q: How is a child’s eligibility determined?

• A: A child’s eligibility for a wish is determined by the child’s healthcare provider based on the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s medical criteria. Any child 2 ½ years of age and before the age of 18 (at referral), who has not previously been granted a wish from another wish-granting organization and deemed to have a life-threatening medical condition may be eligible for a wish.

Q: How is a child’s wish determined after the referral and eligibility are determined?

• A: Two wish trained volunteers will meet with the child and a wish is determined by indications from the child or verbalized by the child to the volunteers.

Q: How does the Make-A-Wish Foundation® protect the child’s privacy?

• A: The Make-A-Wish Foundation® respects the privacy of the children and families it serves. All medical information is considered confidential and is not discussed with outside parties unless it is required for the wish and the child’s parent(s) or guardian(s) have given their consent.  No one has access to a child’s wish file unless the file is in use and they are locked away in a secure area in ensure privacy when not.

Q: Is the child’s family financial status considered in eligibility? What if the child’s family can afford the wish on their own?

• A: No, a family’s financial status has no impact on determining eligibility or the wish that is granted. We would like  the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) to remember that we have special and unique relationships that allow us to have resources not available to the general public and we seek to bring elements of surprise, magic, and fun to the wish experience with these relationships.

Q: Who pays for my child’s wish?

• A: Due to the kindness of strangers we are able to grant wishes. There is no cost to the family in granting a child’s wish.