History

Make-A-Wish of America
In 1980, a 7-year-old Phoenix, Arizona boy with leukemia wanted to be a police officer. Police officers from the Arizona Department of Public Safety granted Chris’ wish with a custom-made uniform, helmet, badge, and even a helicopter ride! Chris’s delight in having his wish come true inspired a group of volunteers to form the first Make-A-Wish chapter.

Although the first chapter started in 1980, Make-A-Wish of America was created in 1983 to oversee the growth and development of the organization and establish consistent policies and guidelines. Since 1983, the national organization has evolved into a central service office that provides a myriad of services to the 65 active chapters in the United States and its territories and 28 international affiliates spanning five continents.

Make-A-Wish of Eastern North Carolina
In 1986 something tremendous occurred in Eastern North Carolina. An 8-year-old boy named Benny had a wish to meet two professional wrestlers. What was different about Benny was that he had acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Benny had been watching wrestlers Magnum T. A. and Rock’N Roll Express ever since he was old enough to watch television. Benny was not well enough to travel to Atlanta to see Magnum wrestle, so Magnum’s schedule was changed to include a match at the Dorton Arena in Raleigh.  While in Raleigh, Magnum visited Benny at Duke Hospital.  Benny was able to attend the wrestling match at Dorton where he also got the chance to meet Rock’N Roll Express and several other wrestlers.

Benny’s wish was the first wish granted by Make-A-Wish of Eastern North Carolina. Since then, the chapter has granted more than 2,000 (and counting) favorite wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions throughout eastern North Carolina.

If you would like additional information about how to share in the power of a wish by volunteering or making a donation to Make-A-Wish of Eastern North Carolina, call 1-800-432-WISH.