Beyond The Wish

Simon: A Wish Kid's Legacy

In this episode of Beyond the Wish, we explore the lasting effect of a single wish and the legacy it can create long after it’s granted. We’re honored to be joined by Ellen, an extraordinary alumni mom whose late son, Simon, left a legacy far greater than anyone could have imagined. Simon’s wish to attend the Super Bowl brought joy and hope during an unimaginable time, and inspired him to Wish It Forward so other kids could experience that same joy. Through Ellen’s courage and openness, Simon’s journey has brought together a community, sparked a movement of generosity, and raised tens of thousands of dollars for Make-A-Wish Illinois. Her heartfelt Mission Moment at Wish Ball 2025 alone inspired more than $800,000 in giving. In this conversation, Ellen reflects on Simon’s wish, how its impact continues to shape her life, and how she inspired Simon’s Squad to come together, raising more than $56,000 for the Penguin Plunge community event. She shares why she remains deeply involved with the mission, even after the hardest loss a parent can face, and how honoring Simon’s spirit helps bring hope and joy to children still waiting for their wishes. This episode is a moving testament to resilience, love, and a wish that never stops giving. If Simon’s story moves you to continue on his legacy of being brave, kind and generous, you can give to the Simon's Squad page [https://secure2.wish.org/site/TR/ChapterLedEvent/Make-A-WishIllinois?pg=personal&px=8564992&fr_id=6995], and help Ellen reach her fundraising goal of $10,000. Learn how you can support Make-A-Wish Illinois through volunteering, donating, or sharing the mission at wish.org/illinois.

Supporting the Wish Journey

In this episode of Beyond The Wish, we sit down with Elaine Cesar a social worker at Lurie Children's hospital, a passionate advocate for Make‑A‑Wish Illinois and a trusted referral source. From the front lines of pediatric care, she shares a powerful perspective on how the wish journey becomes more than a moment of joy, it becomes a meaningful part of a child’s overall care. Through her firsthand experience, we explore how a wish can positively influence a child’s medical engagement, emotional resilience, and social well‑being during the most challenging season of their life. From renewed motivation during treatment to restored hope, connection, and identity beyond a diagnosis, this conversation highlights the profound ripple effects a wish can have on children, families, and even care teams.

WishMakers at Work

At Make-A-Wish Illinois our mission is powered by a community of incredible supporters, in this episode, we're focusing on one of the vital pillars of that support: our corporate partners. Their generosity doesn't just fund wishes—it creates a legacy of hope. Host, Sloan McHugh, sits down with WishMaker John Sbragia, Senior Vice President of Engineering and Quality for GATX, whose commitment to our mission is simply unparalleled. We dive into the story behind GATX's incredible partnership with Make-A-Wish Illinois, exploring the impact their generosity has on both our wish families and their own company culture. If you would like to get your company involved, WishMakers at Work is a turnkey fundraising program for a company to provide employees the opportunity to support a cause that brings hope to children when they need it most. Research shows that employees are wanting to engage in charitable activities. Partnering with Make-A-Wish serves as an occasion to bring them together as a team making a lasting impact for a child with a critical illness. For more information visit wish.org/illinois [http://wish.org/illinois]

Wishing it Forward featuring Conor O'Brien

In this episode of Beyond The Wish, we sit down with wish alum Conor O’Brien to hear his journey from wish kid to volunteer. Conor shares the impact of his wish experience, his continued involvement through the Associate Board, and his excitement for the upcoming I Wish To Party event. 🎉 Join Us at I Wish To Party: Get early bird ticket pricing [https://my.onecause.com/event/organizations/sf-0018000000VVz6xAAD/events/vevt:b1d9ef2c-4179-4012-b633-caf76f76f0f9/home/story] through December 15th. 📅 Explore More Events: Check out the full Make-A-Wish Illinois Event Calendar [https://wish.org/illinois/our-events].

40 Years of Wishes

In this special birthday episode of Beyond The Wish, we celebrate 40 years of hope, joy, and transformation with the founder of Make-A-Wish Illinois, Diane MacWilliams. Diane shares the heartfelt journey of launching the Illinois chapter, from our humble beginnings to becoming a beacon of light for more than 19,000 children and families across the state. Join us as Diane reflects on the early challenges, the unforgettable triumphs, and the community that rallied around the powerful idea that a wish can change a life. Her story is one of compassion, resilience, and the enduring impact of kindness. Whether you're a longtime supporter or new to the Make-A-Wish mission, this episode will inspire you to believe in the magic of a wish and the extraordinary people who make them come true. You make wishes come true, donate today, https://secure2.wish.org/site/TR?px=11319814&fr_id=6673&pg=personal [https://secure2.wish.org/site/TR?px=11319814&fr_id=6673&pg=personal]