Special Wishes for Patients & Families

Free Wishes for Cancer Patients and Families
This page was originally published January 9, 2018 and updated February 11, 2024.

Free Wish-Granting Programs for Cancer Patients & Families

National nonprofit organizations and private companies grant wishes to those facing a serious, life-threatening illness including cancer. From fully coordinated weddings to family vacations, wishes are personalized to best make a person’s unique dream come true and all at no cost to the recipient.

Wish-fulfillment programs work hard to help people with advanced conditions like cancer make dreams come true, and there is never a cost for this help from any of the programs below.

Eligibility and funding for these free wish programs vary so please read through each program’s website carefully to find your best fit. Many of the agencies will require a referral from a physician so it’s best to discuss this with your doctor who can help with this process.

Our national listings include free make a wish programs for adult cancer patients in the USA. If you or a loved one is struggling with advanced cancer and would like to create special, unforgettable memories, please reach out to the no-cost wish programs directly for assistance. We hope you find a perfect match for your needs here in the listings below. ❤️

We sincerely appreciate your help to keep our listings up to date. If you find errors, report them here.

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Dream Foundation

Main URL: Visit
Phone: (888) 437-3267
Email: application@dreamfoundation.org

Description:

Provides wish-come-trues for people 18 and over in the USA in late stage of disease. Wishes are personalized to the recipient and focus on activities that provide inspiration, comfort, and closure for patients and families. To apply for a wish for yourself or someone else, please visit the online request form here.


James Bess Foundation Wish Program for Cancer Patients

James Bess Foundation Wish Program

Main URL: Visit

Description:

The James Bess Foundation is a national nonprofit granting wishes to seriously ill patients across the USA. Wishes are available for patients of all ages and cancer type and will provide funding to include 2-3 family members as well. The program includes transportation, meals, hotel accommodations, park passes, etc. To request a wish through this generous program, please visit the James Bess Foundation website to download the request form.


Allies Wish Free Wished for Cancer Patients

Allie's Wish

Main URL: Visit

Description:

Ally’s Wish, Inc. is a nonprofit organization devoted to granting wishes to seriously ill mothers in the USA with a young child under 18. Ally’s Wish provides a precious memory for the family that will last a lifetime. Wishes up to $5000 are granted in the form of services, gifts, transportation, lodging, or any other wish the mother may have. To nominate a mom, please visit this link.


Fairy Foundation Wishes for Cancer Patients

Fairy Foundation

Main URL: Visit

Description:

An adult wish program to support those in the USA over 18 who’ve been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness.  This free wish program allows recipients to spend quality time with family and friends doing something they have always dreamed to help restore a sense of normalcy and create wonderful memories for the future. To apply, please visit this link.


Free Movie Making for Cancer Patients Memories Live

Memories Live

Main URL: Visit

Description:

Helping those with serious life-threatening illness to preserve precious memories on film. This program is available nationwide. Working together with experienced filmmakers, patients and families can create a truly priceless heartfelt movie to keep and cherish for all time. To find out more and apply, please visit the request form on the Making Memories website.


Niks Wish granting program for adult cancer patients

Nik's Wish

Main URL: Visit

Description:

The Nikolas Ritschel Foundation’s national wish granting program, Nik’s Wish, makes wishes come true for adults in the USA between the ages of 18-24 with a life-limiting cancer diagnosis. Wish Coordinators work directly with the recipients and their families to create memorable fun-filled experiences. To apply for this program, please visit the Nik’s Wish program website here.


Twilight Wishes Free Make a Wish for Adults

Twilight Wish

Main URL: Visit
Phone: (877) 893-9474

Description:

Twilight Wish is a national nonprofit that provides free wishes to low-income seniors age 65 and over in the USA to fund needed medical equipment or celebrate a life wish. Twilight Wish is free of charge and there’s never any application fees. Please visit the link to apply for this wish program for adults.


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Wish of a Lifetime

Main URL: Visit
Email: info@wishofalifetime.org

Description:

Founded in 2008 by Jeremy Bloom in honor of his beloved grandmother Donna Wheeler. This program grants wishes to seniors over age 65 living in the USA to help achieve a long-held or deeply meaningful dream. For application and more information please complete the online request form here on the Wish of a Lifetime website.


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Fill Your Bucket List Foundation

Main URL: Visit
Email: info@fillyourbucket.org

Description:

The Fill Your Bucket List Foundation grants wishes to adults in the USA who are over 18 and living with a cancer diagnosis in order to make dreams come true. To nominate someone (or yourself) for a wish, visit the online request form here on the Fill Your Bucket List Foundation website.


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Do it for the Love

Main URL: Visit
Email: info@doitforthelove.org

Description:

Do it for the Love provides adults living with life-threatening illnesses the chance to experience live concerts by their favorite artists. This national wish granting organization provides cancer patients with the much-needed opportunity away from doctor visits and the chance to get inspired by a shared love of music. To learn more or nominate someone for this program, please complete the online form here.


stellaswishlogo

Stella’s Wish

Main URL: Visit
Email: Don@stellaswish.org

Description:

Stella’s Wish is a non-profit organization founded in memory of the director’s wife Stella who lost her battle to colon cancer in 2007. This program grants wishes to adults across the USA who have been diagnosed with a late-stage cancer. To request a wish for yourself or someone else, please complete the online request form here.


The Granted Wish for Cancer Patients

The Granted Wish Foundation

Main URL: Visit
Email: info@grantedwish.org

Description:

The Granted Wish Foundation provides adults between the ages of 18-25 who are living with serious physical challenges the opportunity to fulfill sports-related dreams.  Granted Wish considers requests for sports of all genres, at the professional and collegiate levels with a possible meet and greet with a favorite athlete. For eligibility and program application, please visit this link.


Don’t Forget Your Personal Wishlist!

Create & Share Your Amazon Wishlist

Your personal Wishlist takes the guesswork out of gift-giving and ensures that you receive things you truly need or desire. We believe it is a wonderful way of organizing and receiving support during a challenging time. Cancer is hard enough. Create your Wishlist & get the help you deserve today!

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2 Comments

  1. I have a tendency to lose hope in people but groups like these who seek nothing more than to make people smile or bring joy to their lives, I admire this and it restores my hope in humanity.

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