By Michaela Gordoni
This week, Disney launched its second Disney Week of Wishes, where it grants as many wishes as possible to child patients in the Make-A-Wish program.
One 16-year-old’s wish was to be a Disney animator for a day, another was a 5-year-old turning into a princess, Good Morning America reported.
“We’re honored that so many wish kids chose Disney. Our stories bring joy, hope and inspiration to millions around the world, and that’s a privilege we take very seriously,” Josh D’Amaro, Disney’s CEO, said in a statement. “Our work with Make-A-Wish speaks to the connection that generations of families have with Disney and builds on Walt’s legacy of using storytelling to spread joy when it’s needed most.”
Related: Disney Marks 150,000 Wishes Granted Through Make-A-Wish Foundation
Over the last four decades, Disney has granted over 165,000 wishes for children with severe illnesses. Make-A-Wish says Disney is the biggest grantor of wishes by far, and Disney reported that it actually grants one wish every hour, every day.
For the Week of Wishes, volunteers made 10,000 Disney kits for Make-A-Wish families. The kits included a backpack, luggage tag, memory book and travel items.
Disney also rededicated its newly renovated Make-A-Wish lounge, where families can go rest during their visit, Disney Parks Blog wrote on April 28.
One 6-year-old got to celebrate the lounge’s re-opening with a Disney park’s cast member and former Disney Make-A-Wish kid, Abigail.
“As part of the entertainment team, I help kids and their families meet their favorite characters,” said Abigail. “It’s so special to be able to do that because that’s what the cast members did for me on my Make-A-Wish trip. So it really is a full-circle moment.”
The 16-year-old who got to animate for a day originally asked Disney for help with his drawings five years ago. He has biliary atresia and eventually got a liver transplant. His wish inspired the company to create a new clip that celebrates its partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Other “Week of Wishes” events include an Avengers party for about 40 kids and their families with real-life AVENGERS stars Paul Bettany and Anthony Mackie, as well as the opportunity for two children to announce some picks during the NFL draft on ESPN.
Make-A-Wish America President Leslie Motter said, “This 45-year relationship has never been stronger, and Disney Week of Wishes will spotlight the remarkable scale and lasting impact of Disney’s commitment to bringing life-changing wishes to children around the world.”
The final day of the “Disney Week of Wishes” is today, May 1.
Read Next: Disney and Make-A-Wish Make 10-Year-Old Designer’s Dream Come True
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