07:00, 28 May 2026
Words by Cheyanne Bryan, Editorial and Campaign Marketing Executive, London
On the eve of World Wish Day, Make-A-Wish® International brought together global business leaders, partners, and supporters in London for its first-ever Leadership for Impact Summit – a powerful reminder of what’s possible when purpose and partnership come together.
Hosted at The Savoy, the event focused on a simple but urgent goal: helping to grant wishes to children with critical illnesses around the world. By connecting leaders across industries, the summit created space for new ideas, shared commitment, and collective action.
World Wish Day, marked each year on 29th April, honours the anniversary of the wish that inspired the Make-A-Wish movement nearly five decades ago. That first wish was granted in Phoenix, Arizona, US — the beginning of something far bigger than anyone could have imagined.
That story was brought to life through the presence of Linda Pauling, co-founder of Make-A-Wish and mother of Chris Greicius.
“When we first started, we never even thought we would get out of Phoenix Arizona but look at what has happened around the world,” she said. “Wishes matter - we’ve known that for years and now we have research to prove it.”
Every 25 seconds, a child is diagnosed with a critical illness and becomes eligible for a wish. These experiences are not fleeting moments, they’re thoughtfully designed to bring hope, strength, and joy at a time when it matters most.
Evidence continues to show that a wish can have a lasting impact on a child’s physical, psychological and emotional well-being, helping them and their families navigate some of life’s most challenging circumstances.
Today, through a network that spans nearly 50 countries, Make-A-Wish International supports affiliates and partners across the world to help reach more children and deliver these life-changing wishes.
The summit brought together leaders from global organisations including Disney, Formula 1, and Booking.com — all united by a shared belief that business can be a force for good.
Their conversations reflected a growing recognition that meaningful partnerships can go beyond awareness, helping to create real, lasting impact for children and families while strengthening connection, trust, and purpose.
As Luciano Manzo, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish International, shared: “Partnership is at the heart of everything we do. When companies and individuals align with our mission, they help create lasting impact for children with critical illnesses and their families around the world.”
Alongside global leaders, the event also centered the voices that matter most.
Patrick O’Hora, a wish alum, shared how his passion for Formula 1 helped inspire him through his cancer treatment and shaped a wish experience which continues to stay with him and his family.
On learning he would get to meet his hero, Lewis Hamilton, Patrick reflects: “I just remember thinking there's no way I am this lucky. Which, of course, was a complete 180 from how I felt before.”
Stories like his bring into focus what this work is really about: not just the wish itself, but the strength, resilience, and possibility it helps unlock.
What began with one child’s wish in 1980 has grown into a worldwide movement, reaching more than 650,000 children and families across the globe.
The Leadership for Impact Summit reflects how that movement continues to evolve, powered by collaboration, compassion, and a shared commitment to ensuring more children experience the life-changing impact of a wish.
Change happens when people come together and everyone has a role to play. Learn more about how you can support the mission here.
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
Make-A-Wish UK. This UK branch of the Make-A-Wish International Foundation, grants life-changing wishes for children living with critical illnesses in the UK, creating moments of joy, hope, and escape during challenging times. Learn more here.
This positive news article aligns with the UN SDG Good Health And Wellbeing.
Photo credits: Joe Howarth Photography
