Wish Upon A Star is a non profit, law enforcement effort designed to grant the wishes of children afflicted with high-risk and life-threatening illnesses. Our services are available to children within the state of California, ages 3 through 18 years. Wish Upon A Star has granted over 1900 wishes in our 30 plus years of service.

We believe that the granting of a wish is "medicine for the spirit" and that the happiness these children experience can be so profound as to actually transcend the illness, allowing them a physical improvement that is often substantiated by medical tests. While such an improvement is temporary, it does demonstrate that the human spirit, given a chance, can soar. As for the parents of these children, people who have been under great emotional and financial stress, the opportunity to join with their child in enjoying the happiness of these moments is a priceless gift in itself. For many parents, these moments become comforting memories. 

To best preserve this "medicine for the spirit" we feel directed to grant wishes in a quiet manner, without fanfare or publicity. We believe this philosophy best serves our families, safeguarding them from intrusions that might prove exploitative or damaging to their climate of hope.

We are committed to the quality of its work. It recognizes that time and uncertainties play a role in the lives of its recipients and that the granting of wishes should be accomplished in an expeditious manner. It is deeply respectful of its obligation to detail and accuracy and understands the necessity of sound communication, not only for the purposes of accuracy, but also for its ability to instill a sense of confidence in families who may be emotionally fragile and traveling far from home.

We are dedicated to being a reliable resource for pediatric medical centers. We believe our patient population can best be served by developing relationships with the medical personnel who care for them, providing them with criteria, easy access and a simplified means for wish referrals. On a limited basis, the foundation also assists pediatric oncology staff in organizing and funding outings for pediatric cancer patients with the goal of lessening the isolation experienced by these children and fostering a sense of connection and empowerment.

We are committed, in equal measure, to the quality of its services, the responsive consistency in which those services are delivered, and the fiscal integrity of the foundation. Wish Upon A Star receives no governmental funding. We are funded strictly through donations.