Make-A-Wish Philadelphia, Delaware & Susquehanna Valley

Help us grant the NEXT wish in Lancaster County! 

A wish to go to Fort Walton Beach, Florida with her family. Meet Ruth, a 10-year-old with a rare blood disorder from Lancaster County. 

Ruth’s story is one of strength, grace, and boundless joy. Born in China and adopted by her loving family at two years old, Ruth came into the world with a cleft lip and palate and a rare blood disorder called Alpha Thalassemia—specifically, hemoglobin H disease with the Constant Spring mutation. Though her condition means her body cannot produce enough healthy red blood cells and requires regular transfusions, Ruth faces every challenge with a bright smile and an even brighter spirit.

Every four weeks, she travels from home to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for a full day of blood transfusions. While those long days are far from easy, Ruth approaches them optimism.

When her doctor mentioned that she might qualify for a wish, Ruth’s face lit up. Without hesitation, she knew what she wanted: a trip to somewhere warm, where she could play in the ocean without getting cold. After looking at a few options, Ruth chose Fort Walton Beach, Florida, simply because, as she put it, “It sounded cool.”

Through Make-A-Wish, Ruth and her family experienced a trip filled with joy, wonder, and unforgettable moments. The highlight of her wish was visiting the Gulfarium, an interactive marine park where Ruth got to meet and swim with dolphins. Holding onto a dolphin’s fin, she laughed as it danced and sang beside her, an experience she’ll never forget. The family also enjoyed a dolphin cruise and a snorkeling adventure, each moment filled with laughter, sunshine, and togetherness.

For a family of ten, trips like this are rarely possible. Between Ruth’s medical needs and everyday responsibilities, life can be busy and overwhelming. But on this trip, there were no hospital visits, no transfusions, and no worries, just warmth, laughter, and family.

For Ruth, her wish was more than a vacation; it was a reminder of how much joy and wonder still exist in the world. For her family, it was a precious time to pause, reconnect, and simply be together.

This is the heart of a wish: creating moments of pure joy and healing for children like Ruth. Moments where challenges fade away, and all that’s left is the magic of being a kid.

 

Who We Are

A wish isn’t a moment—it’s a turning point.

For a child facing a critical illness, a wish experience restores hope, fuels strength, and reminds the whole family that brighter days are possible. That belief guides everything we do at Make-A-Wish: we go above and beyond for every wish kid and stretch every donated dollar to grant more wishes—until every eligible child hears “Yes, your wish is coming true.”

Our mission: Together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.

Wishes change everyone involved—kids, parents, volunteers, medical teams, donors, and entire communities. For wish kids, that spark of joy can translate into courage to keep going. For parents, it opens the door to optimism. For all of us, it’s an invitation to be part of something bigger.

There are currently 28 children right here in Lancaster County waiting on their wish to be granted. 

Be the reason a child believes again. Give today and help grant the next wish.