Bristol-Myers Squibb Donates to Make-A-Wish® Mid-Atlantic

Bethesda, Maryland (March 6, 2018) – Make-A-Wish® has received a $1.26 million donation from Bristol-Myers Squibb Company with the purpose of granting more wishes for children with cancer. A portion of the funds will be used to grant the wish of Kaimani, a 5-year-old with cancer. Kaimani will have his wish granted to go to Hawaii to see his family.

When Kaimani discovered that his one true wish would be granted, he thought deeply about what he could do for his special experience. Because he wanted his family to be involved in his wish, he decided to go back to his Hawaiian roots and visit all of his family that still lives in Hawaii. Having been to Hawaii before, Kaimani is so excited to go back and see the beauty of Oahu and play on the beautiful beaches with his family.

“Wishes for kids like Kaimani would not be possible without supporters like Bristol-Myers Squibb,” said Patricia Gill, Director of Corporate Development and Special Events of Make-A-Wish® Mid-Atlantic. “Support for wish granting is crucial because new research shows that kids who have a wish granted replace fear with confidence, sadness with joy and anxiety with hope.”

“Make-A-Wish understands that hope plays a crucial role in the treatment of childhood cancer,” said Adam Lenkowsky, head, US Oncology, Bristol-Myers Squibb. “We continue to be inspired by Make-A-Wish’s incredible passion and dedication, and are proud to help support families throughout their cancer diagnosis and treatment.”

The impact of the seven-figure contribution from Bristol-Myers Squibb will be felt at Make-A-Wish chapters throughout the country. The donation will specifically be used to grant wishes for kids like Kaimani who have cancer – the most common critical illness for wish kids.

This is the second consecutive year that Bristol-Myers Squibb has helped Make-A-Wish grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses, totaling $2.6 million in support.

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About Make-A-Wish® Mid-Atlantic

Make-A-Wish creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic serves children who reside in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Northern Virginia. Founded in 1983, the organization has granted more than 9,800 wishes in the Mid-Atlantic region since its inception. This year alone, 840 local children in the Mid-Atlantic region are expected to be diagnosed with a critical illness. However, for every wish granted, at least one more local child is waiting. The community has the opportunity to make an impact today by helping Make-A-Wish to reach hundreds of kids whose wishes would go otherwise go unanswered this year. For more information, please visit: www.midatlantic.wish.org.