What Is Little Wishes?Little Wishes is a nonprofit organization staffed entirely by volunteers. Founded in November, 2002 by two Pediatric/Pediatric intensive care nurses, Little Wishes was created to bring comfort and happiness to hospitalized children. Little Wishes was promptly granted 501(c)(3) status in May of 2003 and established a board of directors with advisors made up of thirteen highly qualified individuals. Little Wishes grants wishes of limited dollar amounts but of significant value to seriously ill children during their hospitalization. These children’s treatments can often be rigorous, painful, and the effects lasting – both physically and mentally. The granting of a modest wish greatly eases hospitalized children’s pain and serves to improve their spirits and outlook during their hospitalization. Little Wishes asks the hospitalized children what brings
them joy and what they feel passionate about. Some examples
of children’s wishes have been books, musical CDs, videos,
art supplies, animal visits, special meals, toys and games.
All wishes take place in the hospital with the purpose of
bringing comfort and distraction to the child enduring
medical treatments and regimes. What makes Little Wishes’
program unique is that a qualified child may make another
wish fourteen days after receiving their first little wish!
This is beautiful for children who endure frequent
hospitalizations or for a child who has been in the hospital
for weeks or months at a time. It gives the child a
significant and happy event to look forward to.
The Inspiration for Little Wishes
Josh was able to see his favorite team make it to the World Series just weeks before he passed away, a dream come true for an avid baseball fan. However, it was the littlest things that brought great happiness to Josh during his most difficult and painful stay in the hospital — the spontaneous visits from staff, the Giants pennants that they tacked up in his room — that made him smile. And even a simple trip to the hospital gift shop in his wheelchair hooked up to his oxygen tank, to eye the candy, was a great adventure and distraction for him. Josh showed us that it is often a kind gesture, a simple “little wish,” that can bring so much joy to a hospitalized child. Laura Euphrat and Joanne Davantes, two of Josh's nurses, founded Little Wishes in his memory with the goal of bringing smiles to the faces of hospitalized children like Josh. |
In the summer of 2002, a sweet 8-year-old baseball fan named Josh was diagnosed with a rare, aggressive type of liver cancer. His days in the hospital soon turned into months. As fall approached and baseball season revved up, Josh inspired the hospital staff with his infectious love of the San Francisco Giants. The staff helped decorate Josh’s hospital room with a cornucopia of Giants memorabilia. As it looked like the Giants were going to make it to the World Series that year, the staff would sneak off to Josh's room to watch moments of the playoff games.