Make-A-Wish? Arizona

? A Week in the Life of our Team ? Meet Daniela, our bilingual Community Outreach & Referral Manager for Central Arizona at Make-A-Wish Arizona! ?? Join her for a behind-the-scenes look at how she builds partnerships to help grant life-changing wishes. Help Make-A-Wish Arizona continue to grant life-changing wishes at ?? arizona.wish.org/donate.

#WishStory ? Luca, who is diagnosed with respiratory failure, has always been captivated by balloons, Christmas lights and, most of all, Santa Claus. ?? Watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade has been a cherished tradition that he has shared with his family. His wish to visit New York City to see the parade transformed his holiday into an unforgettable experience. ??"Wishes like Luca's are so special because they combine the joy of the holidays with the joy of a wish,” said Matthew Wall, director of project wishes at Make-A-Wish Arizona. “Each wish is a custom-made, unique, and life-changing experience for that child and their family and its incredible to help bring these dreams to life.” ?? More than 4,000 children will be diagnosed with a devastating critical illness this holiday season. Now, more than ever, the hope and joy of a wish is the most valuable gift you can give – because it means you’ve given these children a better chance of surviving and thriving. Help grant more life-changing wishes for Arizona kids like Luca in the year ahead at ?? arizona.wish.org/donate. ??

As President and CEO of Make-A-Wish? Arizona, Fran Mallace takes the time to understand what motivates, challenges, and inspires her team to thrive. We are incredibly proud of Fran's achievements and thrilled to see her well-deserved recognition. ?? Read her full TITAN 100 spotlight story below. ?

We are #thankful for the amazing team members who help bring life-changing wishes to children across our state. ?? This November, we celebrate the incredible milestones of our dedicated staff who make a lasting impact. ?? ? Carlos Inostroza, Senior Wish Manager (19 years) ? Marissa Astrain, Senior Director of Wish Delivery (11 years) ? Yasenia Pascual-Buendia, Wish Manager (3 years) Your unwavering commitment to our mission of creating life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses is something we are truly grateful for.

Our Gen-Z intern made Bryan Ortiz, Senior Wish Manager, take them on a Wish House Tour. ??? Want an official tour of the Parsons Wish House in Scottsdale? Visit us to learn how Make-A-Wish began in Arizona and see our historic timeline featuring nearly 45 years of wishes! Schedule a tour! ? DM us or email [email protected].

Dena Zell, Partner at Capital Asset Management, has joined the Make-A-Wish? Arizona Board of Directors. ?? After facilitating the sale of her family’s brokerage firm, ZELL, in 2021, she joined Capital Asset Management, focusing on strategic retailer rollouts and managing over 6 million square feet of retail space in Arizona. Recognized as a top performer in her industry, she was named a 2024 Person to Know in Commercial Real Estate. Dena served as Co-Chair for the 2024 Make-A-Wish Arizona Wish Ball.?

?? This Saturday, we’re cycling for wishes! ??♀? Join our Wish Support Manager, Sawyer Kilen, and the Make-A-Wish Arizona team at El Tour de Tucson to help make life-changing wishes come true. Your donation brings joy, hope, and strength to children facing critical illness. Donate at ?? https://lnkd.in/gCttThAp.

This fall, Paul's Ace Hardware Family of Hardware Stores and their customers came together to support Arizona children through our Round Up for Change campaign. ?? Thanks to their generosity, we've raised $11,602 to help grant life-changing wishes for children battling critical illnesses. ?? We are incredibly grateful for this partnership and for the continued commitment to making wishes come true. ? Thank you!

James P., Co-President of Lifted Trucks, has joined the Make-A-Wish? Arizona board.???? With a passion for entrepreneurship, creative marketing, and sales processes, James co-founded a tech company during his time at Arizona State University that offered mobile streaming video services to the restaurant industry.?He now leads Lifted Trucks, a niche independent automotive group with a network of dealerships across the nation.

#WishStory ? | Alessandra, 6, loves to play house. ??? Indoors, outdoors, in her room, or in any room of the house, she can often be found playing house with her brother and her friends, weaving a fantasy where she never has to go to the hospital again. That would be a big ask considering her critical heart condition has required multiple surgeries, months in and out of the hospital, doctors’ appointments, and even five helicopter transports for emergency care. “I found out about Make-A-Wish in a Facebook group for heart kids,” said Alessandra’s mother, Raquel. “When her volunteers came to speak to her about her wish, she wasn’t 100 percent sure what she would wish for, but when they talked about a playhouse, she was excited.” The playhouse, built by Enrique’s Littletown Playhouse, includes a slide, doors and windows, and a front porch to greet her “guests.” Alessandra is ready to invite her little friends and have fun together in her playhouse. “I want to invite Sofia and my brother to my playhouse,” said Alessandra. “To see Alessandra’s wish come true means everything to us. Being able to see her so happy after all she’s gone through fills us with so much joy that we simply can’t explain in words,” said Raquel, Alessandra’s mother. “This wish will help Alessandra express that positive attitude that characterizes her, but that sometimes she finds it difficult to show it anywhere else other than here at home.” Unwrap the power of a wish for kids like Alessandra by making a donation today. ?? arizona.wish.org/donate