Meet a Make-A-Wish Champion of Hope
James Wallace, MD, Pediatric Pulmonologist, Sanford Children's
Make-A-Wish South Dakota & Montana Chapter Medical Advisor
How long have you been referring patients to Make-A-Wish?
James Wallace, MD
I have been referring patients for more than 30 years. While the vast majority of them have cystic fibrosis, there are several other conditions that I have also been able to refer.
What advice would you give to other clinicians who have not yet referred a patient?
There are several new diagnoses that qualify a child for a Make-A-Wish experience. If a clinician is unsure, the staff at Make-A-Wish are available to help. They also make the process, from start to finish, very easy for the clinician.
What have your patients had to say about their experiences? Do you ever hear about their wishes after the fact?
Our patients are always excited to share details of their wish, whether it be a trip to Disney World or a 'She Shed' in their backyard. They bring pictures to their appointments and you can tell they love to share their memories. In addition, the Make-A-Wish staff send us a follow-up after the child's wish has been fulfilled.
NEW Make-A-Wish eligibility criteria for pulmonology:
The new qualifying pulmonary conditions now include long-term tracheostomy dependence as well as continuous oxygen dependence, among other conditions. For more information, please contact Alissa Blank at 605.776.8544 or ablank@sdmt.wish.org.
Who is eligible for a referral to Make-A-Wish?
Children must meet these criteria at the time of referral:
Be between 2.5 and 18 years old
Have not received a wish from another wish-granting organization
Diagnosed with a critical illness (i.e., a progressive, degenerative or malignant condition) that, despite adherence to the treatment plan, is currently placing the child's life in jeopardy