By Andrew de Souza

Keeping the wish alive

Aug 18, 2011 | 11:38 AM

When a child has a serious illness, it is an incredible stress on both the child and the family.
To help relieve some of that stress and to give something positive to hope for, there’s the Children’s Wish Foundation.

Here in Saskatchewan, the foundation’s wish co-ordinator is Stacie Driedger.

She’s on a tour of the province to raise awareness of the program both to raise funds and let families know about the opportunities available.

“We’re heading out around the province to remind people that we’re here and that we do help children all across Saskatchewan,” she said.

Driedger explained that it is important to get the word out because the organization does not solicit patients and their families. Instead they work through referrals or through applications from the families.

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“We rely heavily on healthcare professionals who are dealing with the children on a regular basis to mention to the Children’s Wish Foundation to the families,” she said.

Over the years, Driedger said they’ve helped put together some important wishes for children in all manners of places and activities. Last year, they helped more than 40 kids in the province.

She said the most common one is a trip to Disneyland, but there’s also been trips to Legoland in Denmark, campers given to families for personal outtings and also one child who wanted their own cattle herd and was given ten head to watch over.

“The goal is to give the family and the child something to focus on when they’re going through treatments,” she said.

Kids especially need the opportunity to have some innocent enjoyment because the massive stress put on them and their families from their illness, Driedger said.

“It takes away from a child’s childhood. They don’t get to do the same things that their friends are doing because they’re sick,” she said.

“It’s nice to be able to plan a wish.”

There are a few upcoming events for the Children’s Wish Foundation in the province, including the Wishmaker Walk for Wishes walkathon that will occur in the fall.

adesouza@panow.com