515 wishes granted for children in first half of 'Year of the Family'

The wife of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, adviser to the President of the State, Sheikha Shaikha bint Saif bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, chairwoman of the board of trustees of the Make-A-Wish foundation, has affirmed that granting the wishes of children suffering from serious illnesses represents a profound humanitarian mission, one that gives them hope, strength, and moral support during their treatment journey and leaves a lasting positive impact on their lives and the lives of their families.

Sheikha Shaikha said: "During the first half of 2026, coinciding with the 'Year of the Family', the foundation granted 515 wishes for children representing 25 nationalities and facing 46 different medical conditions. This reflects the foundation's humanitarian role in reaching children inside and outside the United Arab Emirates, and giving them moments of joy and hope at a time when they need them most."

She explained that the wishes granted included 215 in the United Arab Emirates, 176 in the Arab Republic of Egypt, 82 in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, 29 in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and 13 in the Republic of Yemen.

Sheikha Shaikha added that the foundation managed to achieve 57% of its annual target during this period, with 291 boys and 224 girls benefiting from the wishes granted.

The wishes were distributed across 5 main categories: 495 wishes under the "I wish to have" category, 15 under "I wish to go", 3 under "I wish to be", 1 under "I wish to meet", and 1 under "I wish to give".

She affirmed that every wish granted is carefully designed to suit the child's personality, interests, and health circumstances, providing a safe and inspiring experience that boosts their self-confidence and sense of joy and optimism.

She noted that the true value of these achievements lies not in the numbers alone, but in the human stories behind each wish and the psychological and moral impact they leave on the children and their families.

She also noted that these achievements were made possible through close cooperation with 29 hospitals and healthcare providers inside and outside the United Arab Emirates, which helped reach eligible children in a timely manner and fulfil their wishes in a way that takes into account their needs and health and humanitarian circumstances.