GLENDALE, Ariz. (Nov. 13, 2024) - Banner Children’s at Thunderbird and Make-A-Wish® Arizona have joined forces to develop a partnership aimed at expanding life-changing wish opportunities for children undergoing treatment for critical illnesses.
Throughout the month of November, pediatric medical professionals at Banner Children’s at Thunderbird and multispecialty clinics will undergo specialized training to become “Make-A-Wish® Arizona Champions.” These champions are experts in wish fulfillment and advocates within their departments, dedicated to identifying potentially eligible pediatric patients.
"We are thrilled to embark on this collaboration with Make-A-Wish® Arizona,” said Debbie Flores, chief executive officer of Banner Children’s at Thunderbird. “By working together to increase wish opportunities for our young patients, we hope to bring moments of joy and optimism that can truly make a difference in their healing journey."
“This partnership with Banner Children’s at Thunderbird is an incredible step forward in ensuring that every eligible child has a wish granted,” said Fran Mallace, president and chief executive officer of Make-A-Wish Arizona. “This program will help increase referrals from the medical community, directly impacting the number of transformative, life-changing wishes granted to Arizona wish kids. Together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.”
If you know of a child who has a critical illness, please invite his or her family to discuss a referral submission with their child’s treating provider or direct them to Arizona.Wish.org to learn more about wish eligibility and referral process.
About Banner Children’s
Banner Children’s, part of nonprofit Banner Health, cares for more kids than any other health system in Arizona. From well-child exams to treatment of minor injuries and illnesses to management of chronic conditions, the experienced team at Banner Children’s provides comprehensive, family-centered medical care for every child in Banner Health centers and clinics, emergency rooms, hospitals and outpatient facilities. Services include: behavioral health, cancer care, diabetes and endocrinology, digestive care, emergency care, heart care, neurosciences, primary care, surgery and more. For more information about Banner Children’s services, physicians and locations, visit bannerchildrens.com.
About Banner Thunderbird Medical Center
Banner Thunderbird Medical Center in Glendale, Arizona, specializes in heart care, neurological services, surgical services, obstetrics and gynecology, emergency and trauma care, behavioral health, cancer care, rehabilitation, and pediatrics, including the West Valley’s only pediatric intensive care unit, pediatric Emergency department and Level III neonatal intensive care unit. Banner Thunderbird also operates a Level I Trauma Center for patients ages 15 and older. The hospital is part of Banner Health, a nonprofit health system with 30 hospitals in six states. For more information, please visit bannerhealth.com/thunderbird.
About Make-A-Wish® Arizona
Make-A-Wish® Arizona creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Together with generous donors, supporters, staff and volunteers, Make-A-Wish delivers hope and joy to children and their families when they need it most. Make-A-Wish aims to bring the power of wishing to every child with a critical illness because wish experiences can help improve emotional and physical health. This past fiscal year, Make-A-Wish Arizona granted a record-breaking 462 wishes, the most in our chapter’s 45-year history. Since 1980, Make-A-Wish Arizona has granted more than 8,200 wishes in the local community, contributing to the more than 550,000 wishes granted throughout the U.S. and its territories. With 58 chapters nationwide, Make-A-Wish is the most trusted nonprofit operating locally across 50 states. For more information about Make-A-Wish Arizona, visit arizona.wish.org.
For further information contact us at: [email protected]
