Chris Greicius

How it Started

Chris in uniform

Make-A-Wish traces its inspiration to Christopher James Greicius, an energetic 7-year-old boy battling leukemia who wishes to be a police officer. In 1980, his Phoenix community came together to make his wish come true. Little did Chris know that his wish would create a movement that would transform millions of lives.  

Today, Make-A-Wish has granted hundreds of thousands of life-changing wishes to children battling critical illnesses. Wishes that give families hope through dark times, strength to persevere and experiences that forever change their lives.  

Thank you to his mother, Linda Pauling, the Greicius family and the founders for their tireless dedication to our mission.

"He was only seven years, 269 days old when he died. But he taught me about being a man, even though he was only a boy. And because of meeting him, I'm an entirely different man." 
Tommy Austin 
Make-A-Wish Co-founder

The First Wish Kid

Frank "Bopsy" Salazar is the first official Make-A-Wish kid. He's 7 and has leukemia—just like Chris. So, the Phoenix Fire Department gives Bopsy an experience like Chris’; he becomes a member of the Engine 9 crew. Since the first wish is also the first Disney wish, the Anaheim Fire Department picks up the baton, taking Bopsy and his family around Southern California. 

"As his mother, it was very meaningful to me that people who didn’t know us stepped forward to be in Bopsy’s life."
Nance Octaviana Trujillo
Bopsy's Mother
Tyren the firefighter
"Its been more than 30 years since my son Chris received his wish, and I am still amazed and inspired how one little boy's dream to be a policeman has touched the lives of so many"
Linda Pauling 
Chris Greicius' Mother & Make-A-Wish Co-founder