In the News and Blogs

Adin at Super Bowl
March 01, 2023

Care Beyond the Field

In February 2023, Make-A-Wish Central and Western North Carolina, alongside Truist Bank, was able to grant local wish kid Adin’s wish because of the wish to “wish it forward” by fellow wish kid TJ, a heart transplant survivor.
Thanks to TJ’s special request and with the help of special guest, NFL great Greg Olsen, Adin’s wish to go to the Super Bowl came true in a surprise wish reveal.
More on this wish story
Michael Jordan & Charlotte Wish Kids
February 16, 2023

Make-A-Wish and Michael Jordan set a new record

NBA legend Michael Jordan is celebrating his 60th birthday on Friday by making a $10 million donation to Make-A-Wish America. It's the largest individual contribution the organization has received in its 43-year history. The donation is Jordan's latest sign of support — the first wish he granted was in 1989....

[PICTURED: This wish is LEGENDary! Last week in Charlotte, six local wish kids met their idol–basketball legend....
More on Michael Jordan, his New Record & Charlotte Wish Kids
Madelyn hiking the Trailblaze Challenge
June 14, 2022

Trailblaze Challenge: 28.3mi Day Hike with Make-A-Wish

In this blog post, I’ll walk you through my experience as a first-time Trailblazer in 2022 and everything you need to know about participating in the Trailblaze Challenge. I would love to see y’all on the trail next year!
More on Madelyn on the Move
QC Cheryl with Wish Family
April 29, 2022

Make-A-Wish Foundation and Carowinds team up for World Wish Day

It was 42 years ago Friday that the Phoenix community came together to make sure a 7-year-old boy fighting leukemia got to be a police officer for a day.From that grew the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Now more than half a million wishes have been granted for children fighting critical illnesses around the world.
Friday is World Wish Day and on Saturday, there’s a special event happening at Carowinds. QC Life’s Cheryl Brayboy was at Carowinds to tell us more.
More on QC Life
Wish Kids at Carowinds
April 28, 2022

Carowinds to Host World Wish Day Celebration in Partnership with Make-A-Wish of Central and Western North Carolina

Carowinds to Host World Wish Day Celebration in Partnership with Make-A-Wish of Central and Western North Carolina
More on Carowinds Airtime Blog
Kathy & Queen City News Now
April 25, 2022

World Wish Day at Carowinds

Kathy Jetton, CEO of Make-A-Wish of Central and Western North Carolina, joined Queen City News Now to talk about Saturday’s ‘World Wish Day’ at Carowinds.
More on Queen City News Now
Kathy & Brianna_CWNC
April 13, 2022

Smart Shopper: Make-A-Wish Foundation at Carowinds + Discounted Tickets!

In celebration of World Wish Day, the organization will be at Carowinds on Saturday, April 30, with local Wish families, select donors and community partners.

If you purchase the Blue Unicorn Shake at Carowinds, all proceeds go to the non-profit organization, Make-A-Wish!
More on WCCB Charlotte
Hikers holding hands at the finish line
December 06, 2021

Take on the 2022 Trailblaze Challenge

If you’re a hard-core hiker or have set big fitness goals for 2022 and you’re looking for your first challenge, how about choosing one that can make wishes come true for kids with critical illnesses?
More on Blue Ridge Outdoors
Wish Kid Kashton after he wished to be a firefighter
November 18, 2021

Make-A-Wish Calls on Families Across North Carolina to Continue Holiday Tradition through Fundraising Activation

This holiday season, Make-A-Wish® is calling on families across the state to once again come together through Families For Wishes, a fundraising campaign aimed at delivering hope and joy to children fighting critical illnesses.
More on PR Newswire
Jackson and Carowinds Scare Actors
October 18, 2021

Jackson's Monstrous Make-A-Wish

7-year-old Jackson loves all things spooky. So, of course Amber Andrews, Director of Special Events at Make-A-Wish of Central & Western North Carolina, thought of SCarowinds when planning a special spooky surprise for him. Jackson, who lives with his family in Denver, NC has been battling a rare form of pediatric Leukemia for the past few years and received treatment at St. Jude Children's Hospital. Our mission: help Make-A-Wish give him an experience where he could focus on just being a kid.
More on Carowinds Blog