Chain Letters

“Unlimited Wishes” Video is NOT True
We have received inquiries from supporters about an internet video that depicts a fictional news broadcast, “Today Now!” The video includes a report about a “wish kid” whose wish for unlimited wishes has put the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s future in jeopardy. The “Today Now!” segment is not true and all characters, including wish child “Chad,” are fictitious. The video was produced by “The Onion,” which is well-known for using satire to parody news events.

Rest assured, the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® is financially sound thanks to its many generous donors. Also, the Foundation will not grant “unlimited wishes” to a wish child. The policy is clear: We grant the one true wish of each eligible child with a life-threatening medical condition. We appreciate your support for the Make-A-Wish^® mission and the thousands of courageous children we serve. Please refer anyone with questions about the video or chain letters to this page.

Each day, the Make-A-Wish Foundation receives hundreds of inquiries regarding chain letters claiming to be associated with the Foundation and featuring sick children. As a matter of policy, we do not conduct these types of wishes – including internet and e-mail requests.

If you receive a chain letter claiming ties to the Foundation, please:

• Inform the sender that the Foundation does not participate in chain letter wishes.
• Refer the sender and all recipients to this page.
• Do not forward the chain letter.
• Refer senders to ways they can help the Foundation, such as referring a child, making a donation, donating their time & talents or donating treasures.

The time and expense required to respond to these inquiries distracts the Foundation from its efforts on behalf of children with life-threatening medical conditions, and more importantly, can divulge information that is potentially harmful to a child and his or her family.

Here are a few of the more-widely circulated mail and e-mail chain letter hoaxes:

CRAIG SHERGOLD (or other variances of this name)
In 1989, a then 9-year-old boy named Craig Shergold wanted to be recorded in the “Guinness Book of World Records” for receiving the most greeting cards. In 1990, his wish was fulfilled by another wish-granting organization not associated with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. He received more than 16 million cards. Craig is now a healthy college student, and he has requested an end to the mail. Mail that is received is forwarded to a recycling center.

AMY BRUCE (or Jeff DeLeon)
This internet-based chain letter claims that a 7-year-old girl named Amy Bruce, who is suffering from a brain tumor and lung cancer, will receive 7 cents from the Make-A-Wish Foundation each time her letter is forwarded via e-mail.

This request is false, and the Foundation has contacted the originator’s internet service provider to pursue the matter. Variations of this letter have also been circulating and are not legitimate. 

PAIGE LANE
This recent request to send Christmas cards to a little girl began circulating during the 1999 holiday season. Paige Lane is a 5-year-old girl from Cookeville, Tennessee. The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Mississippi helped to grant Paige’s wish to travel to Disney World in April 1999.

Paige and her family have never requested Christmas cards. Since the fictitious request has reached the Internet, the family has been inundated with phone calls and cards.

HOAXES UNDER OTHER NAMES
Some of the other e-mail/internet hoaxes have included the names of: Rhyan Desquetado, LaNisha Jackson, Nikisha Johnson, Jessie Anderson, Kayla Wightman, Anthony Hebrank, Chad Briody and Bryan Warner.