History of the Oregon Chapter

The Make-A-Wish Foundation® grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Born in 1980 when a group of caring volunteers helped a young boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer, the Foundation is now the largest wish-granting charity in the world, with 64 chapters in the United States and its territories. With the help of generous donors and more than 25,000 volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation grants a wish every 40 minutes and has granted more than 200,000 wishes in the U.S. since inception.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oregon was the fifth chapter to form and started its roots here in 1983.  It all began when Sam, who struggled with leukemia, wished to meet Erik Estrada from the hit television show, “CHiPs.” Since then, with the help of dedicated supporters and 200 regional volunteers, the Oregon chapter has granted more than 2,200 wishes to children in Oregon and Clark County, Washington.