Wish kid Khloe from Prairieville to be featured in the 20th Anniversary of the ESPN “My Wish” series

Nearly 100 wish stories have connected children with critical illnesses to their sports heroes, inspiring millions of viewers over two decades

Baton Rouge (July 16, 2026) – ESPN and Make-A-Wish® are celebrating the 20th anniversary of granting sports wishes through the award-winning "My Wish" series, one of the longest-running and most beloved storytelling features on SportsCenter from July 19-23, 2026. Since debuting in 2006, the series has brought viewers inside nearly 100 wish journeys, showcasing the powerful connections between children facing critical illnesses and the athletes and teams they admire most.  This year’s edition will feature five wish kids, including 18-year-old Khloe from Make-A-Wish Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana who underwent a kidney transplant. Khloe had her wish granted to meet A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces.

For two decades, “My Wish" has served as a signature collaboration between ESPN and Make-A-Wish, sharing stories of courage, resilience and joy with millions of viewers. The series has featured professional athletes, championship teams and sports legends across every major league, creating unforgettable experiences for children and families while raising awareness of the life-changing impact of a wish.

In addition to Khloe’s wish, this year's roster of wish kids, star-studded athletes and teams along with details of their anticipated premieres are as follows:

  • Sunday, July 19: Eighteen-year-old Khloe of Louisiana, who underwent a liver and kidney transplant due to a genetic disorder, is unable to play basketball competitively, but her wish to meet A’ja Wilson gives her a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience what it’s like to be a professional basketball player.
  • Monday, July 20: After undergoing three open-heart surgeries, 12-year-old Caleb from Virginia took up golf when team sports became too physically challenging, and his wish brings him on the course for one-on-one time with world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and some amazing surprises.
  • Tuesday, July 21: Diagnosed with leukemia at age three, Mississippi native Ledger meets his favorite WWE superstar, Seth Rollins, as his “Ledger the Great” persona becomes an instant sensation and a tribute to his inner strength.
  • Wednesday, July 22:  Victoria, a 12-year-old baseball fan from New Mexico, was born with a neurological condition and has faced significant medical challenges and numerous operations throughout her life, including a kidney transplant, but doesn’t let anything slow her down. Her wish includes her first visit to an MLB stadium—Petco Park—where the San Diego Padres host an unforgettable day with her favorite player, Fernando Tatis Jr.
  • Thursday, July 23: Sixteen-year-old Bailey from Tennessee, who found new hope through a kidney transplant and watching Vols football, experiences a magical game day inside the Tennessee program surrounded by players, coaches and fans.

Khloe's feature will debut at 7 a.m. CST, and the following features will premiere at 7 a.m. ET, airing on SportsCenter, and once debuted, will air on successive SportsCenter programs for 24 hours and become available on ESPN digital channels and wish.org for fans to watch and share. To mark the 20th anniversary, SportsCenter will debut a new animation package, while ESPN.com will launch a dedicated My Wish hub featuring stories, videos and updates throughout the week.

“The 'My Wish’ series brings the world closer to the children and families at the heart of every wish,” said Leslie Motter, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish America. “What viewers see in those moments goes beyond the story. A wish can mark a turning point for a child facing a critical illness, and it stays with families throughout their journey.”

Emmy Award-winning reporter Chris Connelly returns once again to guide viewers through each story. Connelly’s storytelling captures both the emotional depth and authenticity of each wish experience.

“Now more than ever, the courage of these children and the love and resourcefulness of their families remain inspiring,” said Connelly. “Thanks to ESPN and our friends at Make-A-Wish, this year’s wishes go a long way to restore so much of the joy and exuberance that a critical illness takes away.”    

Make-A-Wish extends its gratitude to ESPN and The Walt Disney Company for their longstanding support. For more than 45 years, Disney has helped grant more than 175,000 wishes, including the very first official wish, and remains the world’s largest wish-granter for Make-A-Wish.

For more information about Make-A-Wish and the ESPN “My Wish" series, visit wish.org/mywish.

MEDIA CONTACT: Erin Joubert Patel via ejoubert@texgulf.wish.org or 504-858-5426