Liam's
Wish
Summer 2021
Liam’s wish brings joy every day thanks to you!
Seven-year-old Liam lights up when he’s outside. His smile speaks joy and his body visibly relaxes. With the sky overhead and the fresh air all around, Liam’s day becomes all about happiness and less about constraints from Allen-Herndon-Dudley syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that he’s experienced since before birth.
Watch the video above to see how your support of wishes took away the barriers that kept Liam from being in nature with his family.
Liam and his mom enjoying his new pathway in the snow.
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Celebrating 35 years thanks to you!
Wishes have transformed lives throughout Alaska and Washington, from Anchorage to Anacortes, Barrow to Burien, Seattle to Spokane. Your support has helped write our history and will define our future because it takes all of us to grant wishes. For that, we thank you! Explore our timeline to see how we’ve become the organization we are today.
Thank you for giving wish kids a joyful reality!
Our community virtually came together to celebrate 35 years of wish-granting at Wish Night in June. Funds raised will help us quickly grant as many wishes as possible; both those we can safely fulfill right now and those that have been postponed due to the pandemic.
We’re so grateful to you for showing up for wish kids. We invite you to give hope and joy to a child who needs a wish in your community today.
Presenting Sponsor Official Airline Partner
Wish Champion Sponsors
Save the date!
See how one doctor writes a prescription for joy that you help to fill
For more than a decade, Dr. Ross Goshorn from Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital in Spokane, Wash., has been referring hematology and oncology patients for wishes. He’s seen first-hand the tangible impact wishes make when incorporated into a child’s treatment regimen.
Watch the video to see why Dr. Goshorn makes wishes a part of his care plan.
Local couple makes lasting impact
It’s a love story stretching across continents and decades. Birger and Shizue Rasmussen were children during World War II. They met in Japan, traveled the world and eventually settled down in Edmonds, Wash. And their story will continue in the form of a planned gift to Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington.
More than 20 years ago, The Rasmussens contacted attorney and friend, Steve Ross. They wanted to determine what would happen to their resources when they died. Birger and Shizue wanted to do something charitable; to infuse some fun and happiness into the lives of families facing difficulties. That’s why they chose Make-A-Wish as the beneficiary of their estate plan.
After Birger passed away eight years ago, Shizue again updated her will. When Make-A-Wish came up, “her eyes lit up,” said Steve. “It made her happy to think of where her money would be going.”
That’s the beauty of planned gifts. Designating an organization in your will, trust or estate plan allows you access to your financial resources as long as you need them, while ensuring the rest can make a meaningful difference.
“You don’t have to be wealthy or think of yourself as a major donor or philanthropist to have a major impact on the world you leave behind,” said Steve.
While Birger and Shizue lived in Edmonds, he spent many years in Alaska as a tugboat captain. “Their gift is doing a lot of good for families both in Alaska and Washington where they had ties,” Steve said. “Honestly, it’s affected me to see they’re continuing to have a positive impact in the world.”
You, too, can leave a lasting impact when you designate Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington as a beneficiary of your will, trust or estate plan. Contact Lauren Martin to get started today.
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