Port Coquitlam's Alexa Kemp, 12, and her mom Natasha Prokosh got a helicopter ride over the Tri-Cities last week Oct. 29 to promote an expansion of the Children's Wish Foundation's wish-granting program.
The campaign, called More Wishes, More Wonders, was created to provide positive experiences for children with serious genetic and neurological diagnoses, such as those with severe cerebral palsy. The goal is to raise $2 million by next spring and $10 million by 2021.
The Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada typically grants wishes to children between the ages of three and 17 who are diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. But with the expansion of the program, the organization hopes to reach out to other children who are experiencing difficult challenges.
Last Thursday's media event, when Kemp and her mom were flown from Vancouver to Pitt Meadows, was a way to kick off the new endeavour.
Meanwhile, with its current program, The Children's Wish expects to grant over 1,000 new wishes across the country with the BC and Yukon Chapter already granting 56 wishes this year. Each wish is structured to meet the particular needs of the child and the family.
