Make-A-Wish Iowa

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Make-A-Wish Iowa Together, we are celebrating 40 years of granting life-changing wishes to children with critical illnesses in Iowa — and sparking what’s next. 🎉💫

We grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.

10/15/2026

For nearly 40 years, Make-A-Wish Iowa has been bringing hope, strength, and joy to children facing critical illnesses. 💙💫

Because of supporters like you, 189 wishes were granted in fiscal year 2026, surpassing an incredible milestone of 5,000 wishes granted in the history of our chapter. Every gift, volunteer hour, community partnership, and shared story helped create life-changing experiences for wish kids and their families.

View our online 2026 Annual Report to meet this year's wish kids, explore wishes granted across the state, and see how you can help create more life-changing wishes in the year ahead.

⭐ View the Make-A-Wish Iowa 2026 Annual Report: https://wishreportiowa.org/

Many families face an incredible uphill battle during their child's medical journey. While these mountains are often inv...
10/12/2026

Many families face an incredible uphill battle during their child's medical journey. While these mountains are often invisible to those around us, families are climbing them every day across Iowa. 🗻💙

That's the inspiration behind the new Wish Star Honor Wall at Make-A-Wish Iowa. Created by Urbandale High School senior Noah Small, the mural depicts a mountain rising from an Iowa cornfield, representing the challenges families navigate during treatment and the people who support them along the journey.

We're inviting our community to become part of that story.

Personalized stars to be placed in the sky on the mural are now available for purchase to honor or remember someone special. You can recognize a family member, friend, organization, volunteer, or community partner whose time, generosity, or support has helped bring hope and joy to children with critical illnesses.

Each star purchased helps support wishes waiting to be granted across Iowa and ensures more children can experience the hope, joy, and strength a wish can bring.

“I wanted to create a vibrant and encouraging visual that reflected the fight of the brave kids battling a critical illness, while also celebrating the people who help families climb those difficult mountains." - Noah Small, Urbandale High School senior

A huge thank you to Benjamin Moore for donating the paint to make this project possible!

⭐ Purchase a star or learn more: wish.org/iowa/honorwall

10/10/2026

For Corbett, the greatest challenge wasn't understanding others. It was helping others understand him.

Because Corbett is non-speaking, he struggled to communicate with friends and family and often felt misunderstood. When asked what he wished for most, his answer was simple: he wanted the people he loved to understand him.

To grant his wish, “Camp Corbett” was created to help family and friends learn how to communicate with him using assistive technology and his unique communication style.

"I felt loved because my friends and family learned to talk with me."

This World Mental Health Day, we're celebrating the power of connection, belonging and being truly seen and heard.

Make-A-Wish Oregon Make-A-Wish America

Today is DAF Day, and we are excited to celebrate! 💫DAF Day is a nationwide celebration of generosity that encourages do...
10/08/2026

Today is DAF Day, and we are excited to celebrate! 💫

DAF Day is a nationwide celebration of generosity that encourages donors to unlock the power of their donor-advised funds to support causes they care about — like granting life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Giving through your DAF offers several key benefits for both you and causes you care about.

"She’s in the hospital a lot. She has a lot of doctor’s appointments, so she’s always the patient. Stepping out of that patient role and being the nurse, she loved every minute of it." — Sophyii’s Mom 💙

If you have a DAF, we would be honored if you would join us in the month of October and make a life-changing gift to Make-A-Wish Iowa through your donor-advised fund.

Learn more: https://wish.org/iowa/your-donor-advised-fund-can-help-make-life-changing-wishes-come-true-today

When Norah's family dreamed about travel, they never imagined a trip beyond an hour from home would be possible. Living ...
10/07/2026

When Norah's family dreamed about travel, they never imagined a trip beyond an hour from home would be possible.

Living with a nervous system disorder meant navigating mobility challenges and relying on specialized medical equipment. But when Norah's wish to visit Walt Disney World® Resort came true, her WishMakers helped coordinate every detail, including transporting the medical devices she depends on.

At Disney, Norah experienced wheelchair-accessible attractions, colorful parades and sensory-filled adventures designed for every child to enjoy.

"To see her fully recognized in a world that usually isn't so accessible was emotional," said her mom, Tiffany.

This Disability Awareness Month, we're celebrating the power of wishes to create accessible experiences and remind families what's possible.

Know a child living with a critical illness? Learn more about making a referral at wish.org/refer.

It's prime time for wishes! 📦💫Amazon Prime Big Deal Days are here, and you can make wishes come true with just a few cli...
10/06/2026

It's prime time for wishes! 📦💫

Amazon Prime Big Deal Days are here, and you can make wishes come true with just a few clicks! From October 6th to October 7th, take advantage of the discounts and purchase an item from our wish list to create life-changing wishes for children right here in Iowa!

From small essentials to big-impact items, each gift goes towards bringing hope, strength, and joy to local wish kids and their families. Every item you give makes a difference and ships directly to us, making it easier than ever to support our mission.

Shop our wish list today: https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/2SV0XU84ZZKT0?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_ggr-subnav-share_NBSSRA6DCK19ZNMGMJ8Y&fbclid=IwY2xjawUw2illeHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mAWJyaWQRMXBsMUZraEkxS1NRVjcyNmhzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeazsgmqg1_y6XiZFwot0KGQoCVAB4w83RoTqsDaNmbsRsISa80KcLKksD62w_aem_fggAavc-HHHVRehdY1uKEQ

This year, Make-A-Wish Iowa is celebrating its 40th birthday! 🎉To celebrate this milestone year, we've partnered with Io...
09/29/2026

This year, Make-A-Wish Iowa is celebrating its 40th birthday! 🎉

To celebrate this milestone year, we've partnered with Iowa State University apparel design student Abby Berta to create an exclusive 40th birthday cake T-shirt that honors four decades of wish stories, wish families, and the supporters who have made these wishes possible.

Orders are open now through October 1. After that, this shirt will not be available again until spring 2027. Whether you've been part of our story for years or have joined us more recently, we invite you to celebrate this special birthday with us. 💫💙

Purchase your 40th birthday shirt today: https://mawi.cmail19.com/t/d-l-wjyddjy-hlgurulil-j/

Did you know that your Friday coffee run can make a difference? ☕️💙 Tomorrow only, $1 from every coffee sold at Dutch Br...
09/17/2026

Did you know that your Friday coffee run can make a difference? ☕️💙

Tomorrow only, $1 from every coffee sold at Dutch Bros Coffee will support Make-A-Wish Iowa and help bring hope and joy to children facing critical illnesses.

Participating Locations:
Ankeny: 315 NW 36th St., Ankeny, IA 50023
Des Moines: 4800 SE 14th St., Des Moines, IA 50320

After learning about the history of 9/11 in school, Wish Kid Ronald was inspired and wanted to go visit the memorial in ...
09/11/2026

After learning about the history of 9/11 in school, Wish Kid Ronald was inspired and wanted to go visit the memorial in person. His wish was to go to New York City and visit the 9/11 memorial and reflection pool. 💙

Today, as we remember and honor the lives impacted by 9/11, we also reflect on the places that hold meaning for so many and extend our gratitude to the first responders and survivors whose bravery still inspires us and our wish kids today.

09/11/2026

Tomorrow, the Hawkeyes and Cyclones will take the field, but we’re cheering for Justice! 🏈💛

Justice’s wish to meet the Hawkeye Football team gave him an unforgettable experience surrounded by the sport and team he loves.

Help create more life-changing wishes for Iowa children with critical illnesses like Justice by donating today: https://donate.stripe.com/eVa3cvgyRcGqeic8ww

Address

3009 100th Street
Urbandale, IA
50322

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 3pm

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