The word of mouth can help change a child’s life
The word of mouth is a powerful thing, not to mention it’s important for any business. It’s known to be one of the most credible forms of advertising since individuals put their reputation on the line every time they make a recommendation to another.
Each month we use this word of mouth tactic as we bring you a new story on an inspiring individual or company, sharing what makes them stand out among the rest and hope that you, too, can share in the excitement.
This month is no different, except for the fact that it’s more to do with family and helping others, rather than our actual industry.
We have been honored to get to know Linda Dozoretz through her many visits to the OSQE Duluth Show. Her story is incredible and unlike most, in that, she’s created an opportunity for many children throughout the world – giving them hope and love.
Dozoretz began Children’s Wish Foundation International in 1985 after she lost her daughter to Ewing’s Sarcoma – a rare type of cancerous tumor in your bones or soft tissue around the bones, which usually comes at the onset of puberty. Because of one of the greatest losses in her life, she became an active fundraiser with some major organizations that searched for a cure for cancer.
As she had great success in her fundraising efforts, she was awarded a trip for four to Disneyland, but to her dismay, it just didn’t feel the same without her daughter. That moment allowed her to go to the hospital where her daughter received care and find a child who would want to go – the only stipulation being that Dozoretz wanted a picture of that happy child with Mickey Mouse.
Theresa, 4 years old, who was battling leukemia was awarded the trip, but only to find out that the vouchers would not be honored. Dozoretz was not allowing this child to miss out on Disneyland and Mickey, so she took it upon herself to discuss the vouchers with the travel agent, airlines, etc., to ensure that Theresa would be able to attend.
From that moment on, the word spread about how Dozoretz helped this little girl achieve her wish, and she learned of other families wanting the same for their children. And she did just that! Dozoretz held nothing back in making sure these unfortunate children received what they wished for, all of which led her to her dining room table -- which she still has today – forming the very Foundation that has become an international success.
“If I could do this for one child, I could do it for many,” Dozoretz said.
Dedicated to bringing joy to children with life-threatening illnesses around the world, the Children’s Wish Foundation International will do anything to give each child hope and to keep a family whole. Every wish granted provides the child with a newfound motivation, whether it be because they heard encouraging words spoken by their favorite celebrity, or because they could take a break from battling their illness and regain that childhood experience on a trip that will provide memories to last a lifetime. Since the beginning, the Foundation has created memorable experiences for children and families in more than 53 countries, allowing them to support the lives of over 300,000 children last year alone.
The Foundation states that, “We believe a Wish should be the child’s heartfelt Wish, in a time and place that suits the child. Our team is prepared to work quickly for the child who needs to go NOW, between treatments, because their future is uncertain. We also understand that some families don’t have the resources for things like suitcases. And no little girl can visit Disney without the requisite princess dress! We’ve got them covered.”
The child’s wish can be as simplistic as an iPad or as elaborate and unique as a trip to the Galapagos Islands to follow in the footsteps of the famous biologist Charles Darwin. During the first 60 days of 2017, Children’s Wish has provided companionship to a fourteen-year-old girl, too sick to go to school, by fulfilling her wish to have a French bulldog puppy. CWFI made an 8-year-old girl’s dream come true to visit the American Girl Doll store in New York, where she got to pick out the perfect doll to accompany her on future doctor appointments. The Wish staff continues to work hard every day as fairy godmothers to fulfill every wish they are presented with in a MOST unique way.
Want to get involved? If you know a young person under the age of 18 who has been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, please refer them to the Children’s Wish Foundation. Anyone can refer a child, so take the simple steps of going to Childrenswish.org, so the team can immediately begin working to fulfill the wish.
If that’s not enough, they need your help in other ways. Join the team and be a volunteer, which is much needed. You can be a part of the wish granting process, where donations will help a child’s wish come true. Don’t have enough free time? That’s okay. Simply log onto childrenswish.org to see how you can donate online, phone or mail. You can view wishes that are currently in progress and donate to a wish of your choosing. With a click of the mouse, you can make a child’s favorite wish come true.
And just as we stated before, the word of mouth is a powerful tool. Talk amongst your friends and family about the great Foundation that’s truly helping young ones around the world.