Make-A-Wish® Illinois Chapter

Frequent Flier Miles Needed

DONATE MILES HERE

Last year, hundreds of Illinois children with life-threatening medical conditions realized a dream come true through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Wishes included trips to a favorite theme park, a visit to Australia to see kangaroos, a tropical vacation in Hawaii and many more travel-related dreams.   The Make-A-Wish Foundation^® is asking frequent travelers across the state to contribute frequent flier miles and help make wishes like these come true for children with life-threatening medical conditions.

When Make-A-Wish^® volunteers ask a child for his or her favorite wish; very often the response begins with, "I want to go...."  Fortunately, most major airlines have created programs that allow members of their frequent traveler loyalty programs to donate their unused miles to charity.  Such contributions have enabled the Make-A-Wish Foundation to send thousands of children with life-threatening medical conditions and their families on the trip of a lifetime, and have saved the Foundation millions of dollars each year. 

This year, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois will grant 750 wishes, with more than 70-percent of those wishes involving air travel.  The Foundation is looking to raise 2 million miles to help defray the cost of travel wishes, particularly wishes that involve international travel.  Every donation, no matter how large or small, helps to bring the Foundation closer to the goal.

"A contribution of frequent flier miles to the Make-A-Wish Foundation is one of the most direct ways to help make a difference in the life of a child with a life-threatening medical condition," said Stephanie Springs, CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois.  "The mileage the Foundation receives will help provide experiences that wish children and their families will cherish for a lifetime."

Companies looking to start a frequent flier mile drive with their employees should call 800.978.9474 to find out how to get started.

Since 1985, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois has granted more than 9,000 wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions in Illinois.  With the help of more than 1,300 volunteers, the Foundation continues it's mission to bring hope, strength and joy to courageous children across the state.  For more information, visit http://www.wishes.org/ or call 800.978.9474.