Jordan's 60th birthday wish is for his
transformational gift to inspire others to help grant wishes for
children with critical illnesses
PHOENIX, Feb. 15,
2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Basketball legend
Michael Jordan proves that it is
better to give than to receive by making a record-setting donation
of $10 million to Make-A-Wish America
in honor of his 60th birthday on Feb.
17. The gift – the largest from an individual in the
organization's 43-year history – is Jordan's latest show of
commitment to the wish-granting organization that he has actively
supported for more than 30 years. The hope is that Jordan's
decision to celebrate his birthday by donating to Make-A-Wish will
inspire others to help Make-A-Wish close the gap in the number of
wish kids who are waiting for their wishes to come true.
Jordan's support for Make-A-Wish dates back to the first wish he
granted in 1989. In the years since, he has granted hundreds of
wishes to children all over the world, becoming one of the all-time
most requested celebrity wish granters. He remains one of the
organizations most popular wish requests. In 2008, he was named
Make-A-Wish Chief Wish Ambassador for the life-changing impact he
has had on wish kids and their families.
"For the past 34 years, it's been an honor to partner with
Make-A-Wish and help bring a smile and happiness to so many kids,"
said Michael Jordan.
"Witnessing their strength and resilience during such a tough time
in their lives has truly been an inspiration. I can't think of a
better birthday gift than seeing others join me in supporting
Make-A-Wish so that every child can experience the magic of having
their wish come true."
"Everyone knows about Michael's legacy on the basketball court,
but it's what he has consistently done off the court when no one's
watching that makes him a true legend for wish families and the
wider Make-A-Wish community," said Leslie
Motter, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish America. "Michael
using his birthday as a chance to make history for Make-A-Wish
speaks to the quality of his character and his loyal dedication to
making life better for children with critical illnesses. We hope
that the public will be inspired to follow in his footsteps by
helping make wishes come true."
Jordan's donation will create an endowment to provide the funds
needs to make future wishes possible for kids with critical
illnesses. His support comes on the heels of a recent 2022 Wish
Impact Study that indicates that wishes can play an important part
in the healing process. Wish alumni and medical professionals who
participated in the study agree that wishes can increase joy,
confidence, self-esteem and hope for the future, resulting in
improved quality of life and better health outcomes.
To learn more about Make-A-Wish and to get involved, visit
wish.org.
About Make-A-Wish
Make-A-Wish creates life-changing
wishes for children with critical illnesses. Founded in
Phoenix, Arizona, Make-A-Wish is
the #1 most trusted nonprofit operating locally in all 50 states
throughout the U.S. Together with generous donors, supporters,
staff and more than 24,000 volunteers across the country,
Make-A-Wish delivers hope and joy to children and their families
when they need it most. Make-A-Wish aims to bring the power of
wishing to every child with a critical illness because wish
experiences can help improve emotional and physical health. Since
1980, Make-A-Wish has granted more than 550,000 wishes in 50
countries worldwide; more than 360,000 wishes in the U.S. and its
territories alone. For more information about Make-A-Wish America,
visit wish.org.
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SOURCE Make-A-Wish Foundation of America