Join us for this episode of World of Wishes, where we meet with Andy Cunningham, wish dad and member of the Tampa Bay Advisory Board.

Andy's daughter Kennedy had a dream come true when she met Joanna Gaines on the set of Magnolia Table. While battling leukemia, Kennedy’s wish brought back the joy, love, and energy that cancer and treatment had taken away. Andy shares the profound impact of Kennedy’s experience, the kindness of Joanna, her husband Chip and the Magnolia team, and how a single wish can bring hope and a renewed spirit in the toughest times.

Learn more about how YOU can make an impact at https://wish.org/sfla!

Be sure to follow us @makeawishsfla on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, TikTok, and LinkedIn!

Subscribe, Rate, & Review this podcast to support future episodes that will feature wish kids and parents' past and present, volunteers, donors, referral sources and everyone who contributes to this World of Wishes!

In the 36th episode of World of Wishes, we sit down with Elyse Miller, a rockstar volunteer of over 30 years!

From meeting celebrities to traveling the world, Elyse has helped make dreams come true by granting over 400 unique wishes in the Tampa Bay area. As a dedicated volunteer, she has spent countless hours working closely with wish kids and their families, listening to their stories, understanding their hopes, and turning their visions into reality. Elyse brings compassion, creativity, and commitment to every wish she helps grant. Through her stories, we gain insight into her deep passion for volunteering and the joy she finds in building meaningful connections with the families she serves. Her selfless dedication is a powerful reminder of the impact one person can have through kindness, empathy, and the simple act of giving their time.

Learn more about how YOU can make an impact at https://wish.org/sfla!

Be sure to follow us @makeawishsfla on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, TikTok, and LinkedIn!

Subscribe, Rate, & Review this podcast to support future episodes that will feature wish kids and parents' past and present, volunteers, donors, referral sources and everyone who contributes to this World of Wishes!

In our 35th episode, we had the privilege of speaking with Sara Faella, a devoted Wish Mom, about her daughter’s inspiring journey to receiving a Disney Cruise wish after facing a challenging diagnosis. Sara opened up about the emotional highs and lows of their experience, the impact of the wish on their family, and how Make-A-Wish provides a beacon of hope for families navigating difficult medical journeys. She shared heartfelt moments and the lasting joy it has brought to their lives, while also sharing how her family stays connected to Make-A-Wish.

Learn more about how YOU can make an impact at https://wish.org/sfla!

Be sure to follow us @makeawishsfla on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, TikTok, and LinkedIn!

Subscribe, Rate, & Review this podcast to support future episodes that will feature wish kids and parents' past and present, volunteers, donors, referral sources and everyone who contributes to this World of Wishes!

In our 34th episode, we spoke with Chuck Stauffer, a Wish Dad and Chair of the Southwest Florida Advisory Board.

Chuck shared how his son's Make-A-Wish experience has had a lasting impact on his family and holds a special place in his heart. Chuck also talks about the importance of a wish and how donors and sponsors help create the magic of wishes.

Learn more about how YOU can make an impact at https://wish.org/sfla!

Be sure to follow us @makeawishsfla on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, TikTok, and LinkedIn!

Subscribe, Rate, & Review this podcast to support future episodes that will feature wish kids and parents' past and present, volunteers, donors, referral sources and everyone who contributes to this World of Wishes!

In our 33rd episode, we welcomed Sherri Gutierrez, a dedicated volunteer and leader who served as Chair of Walk For Wishes Broward and a board member for Make-A-Wish Southern Florida since 2015.

Sherri shared how she brought joy and hope to countless lives as a wish granter, fundraiser, and the lead architect of the Finker-Frenkel Wish House in Miami. She reflected on her journey, what motivated her, and how rewarding it was to make a difference.

Learn more about how YOU can become a wish granter like Sherri at https://wish.org/sfla!

Join us at Walk For Wishes Broward on January 25, 2025! Learn more at https://walkforwishessfla.net/event-details

Be sure to follow us @makeawishsfla on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, TikTok, and LinkedIn!

Subscribe, Rate, & Review this podcast to support future episodes that will feature wish kids and parents' past and present, volunteers, donors, referral sources and everyone who contributes to this World of Wishes!

Join us for Episode 32 of World of Wishes, where we hear the heartwarming story of Wish Mom Becky Kight and her son Pierce, whose dream of becoming a candymaker brought sweetness to a challenging journey. Becky shares how Pierce’s wish arrived just when they needed it most, bringing joy and resilience to their family during a critical phase of his treatment.

Learn more about how YOU can become a wish granter and make wishes come true for children like Pierce at https://wish.org/sfla!

Be sure to follow us @makeawishsfla on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, TikTok, and LinkedIn!

Subscribe, Rate, & Review this podcast to support future episodes that will feature wish kids and parents' past and present, volunteers, donors, referral sources and everyone who contributes to this World of Wishes!

"After so long in the hospital, it's really nice to let go and let yourself feel pampered and feel special." - Maia Diaz

In Episode 31 of World of Wishes, host Richard Kelly sat down with Wish Alumnus Maia Diaz, who reflected on her 2014 wish to go on a Mediterranean cruise.

Maia opened up about her journey living with a chronic illness, how her wish inspired her career, and her passion to help bring more wishes to life for others.

See here for photos from Maia's wish!

To make a donation that impacts a child's life like Maia's, click here!

To learn more about us as a chapter, visit https://wish.org/sfla.

Check us out on social media @makeawishsfla: Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, TikTok, and LinkedIn!

Subscribe, rate, & review this podcast to support future episodes that will feature wish kids and parents' past and present, volunteers, donors, referral sources and everyone who contributes to this World of Wishes!

"For me, in my heart, I truly believe there is no cancer-free if there is no Make-A-Wish." - Marina Diez

In our 30th episode of World Of Wishes, we celebrate the start of Wimbledon with a special guest, Wish Alumnus Marina Diez, who wished to go to Wimbledon back in 2008.

As a rising tennis star on her journey to becoming a world champion, Marina opens up about her second chance at life, her newfound purpose, and how her wish gave her the strength to fight cancer.

Check out photos from her wish at worldofwishespodcast.org

To make a donation that impacts a child's life like Marina's, click here!

To learn more about us as a chapter, visit https://wish.org/sfla.

Check us out on social media @makeawishsfla: Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, TikTok, and LinkedIn!

Subscribe, rate, & review this podcast to support future episodes that will feature wish kids and parents' past and present, volunteers, donors, referral sources and everyone who contributes to this World of Wishes!

"I look back and I see a kid really stoked about some science...and I'm still that kid." - Juliana Bach

In episode 29 of World of Wishes, Wish Alum Juliana Bach, who wished to be a scientist back in 2007, talked about her life-long love of science. Her wish led her to visit MIT, sparking a passion that has stayed with her ever since. Today, she is pursuing her bachelor's degree in science, continuing to follow her dream.

To make a donation that impacts a child's life like Juliana, click here!

To learn more about us as a chapter, visit https://wish.org/sfla.

Check us out on social media @makeawishsfla: Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, TikTok, and LinkedIn!

Subscribe, rate, & review this podcast to support future episodes that will feature wish kids and parents' past and present, volunteers, donors, referral sources and everyone who contributes to this World of Wishes!

"It's amazing to be able to impact other people's lives that haven't been through what I've been through." - Grace Lightbody

In episode 28 of World of Wishes, Wish Alum Grace Lightbody, who wished to go to Hawaii back in 2013, talked about how her wish saved her life. She is a fixture at Make-A-Wish events here in South Florida and is currently in her "giving era."

To make a donation that impacts a child's life like Grace, click here!

To learn more about us as a chapter, visit https://wish.org/sfla.

Check us out on social media @makeawishsfla: Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, TikTok, and LinkedIn!

Subscribe, rate, & review this podcast to support future episodes that will feature wish kids and parents' past and present, volunteers, donors, referral sources and everyone who contributes to this World of Wishes!