Make-A-Wish Foundation UAE Grants 250 Wishes for Seriously Ill Children at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City

Make-A-Wish Foundation is ‘partner in hope’ for Abu Dhabi-based flagship hospital - Deputy CEO

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: The UAE chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation has granted 250 wishes for seriously ill children at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC), since teaming up with the Abu Dhabi-based flagship hospital in 2010.

SKMC, managed by Cleveland Clinic, is part of the SEHA Health System and owned and operated by Abu Dhabi Health Services Company PJSC (SEHA), which is responsible for the curative activities of all the public hospitals and clinics in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

“Working with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to bring smiles to our children with life-threatening conditions has been a true pleasure. We consider the Foundation a partner in hope - we’ve seen the joy that the granted wishes bring our courageous patients. 250 wishes granted together is a real milestone, and we look forward to a continued relationship with Make-A-Wish Foundation,” said Dr. Aref Al Shehhi, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at SKMC.

The first ever wish, granted in December 2010, and was requested by child with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia who had desired a laptop from a young age.

Make-A-Wish Foundation UAE Chief Executive Officer Hani Al Zubaid said: “It is a pleasure to work with the doctors and staff at SKMC as they are very cooperative and always willing to help the Make-A-Wish staff and volunteers.”

“The Make-A-Wish Foundation UAE team is looking forward to granting more wishes and making them come true.  Under the patronage of HH Sheikha Sheikha Bin Saif Al Nahyan, President of Make-A-Wish UAE, Honorary Chairman and Lifetime Patron the Foundation has granted more than 1000 wishes to date and are delighted to be able to continue granting many more.  Our mission is to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy,” Al Zubaid added.

Wishes granted for SKMC’s patients have ranged from wishes to have items such as laptops, iPads, or even a bedroom; wishes to go to places like Disneyland, Emirates Palace and the Umrah pilgrimage to Mecca; and wishes to be a doctor, a princess, a police man and a professional photographer.

“Caring for an ill child is more than just providing a hospital bed and medical care, but also approaching their care from a holistic, compassionate viewpoint and enriching their lives with hope, joy and strength,” said Dr. Abdulmajeed Al Zubaidi, Chief Medical Officer, SKMC.