JOYREPORT

2017 Annual Report

A single wish transforms lives.From our Board Chair and CEOWe believe a single wish transforms lives — and you transformed 110 of them in 2017. Thank you! This Joy Report is a celebration of you.

A wish doesn’t happen on its own. Every time you give to Make-A-Wish, whether its your time, your referrals, or your financial support, you are changing the life of a child living with a critical illness.

A wish granted is more than a trip or a shopping spree. Because of your support, imagination is sparked! Suddenly a child and their family have a sense of normalcy and the opportunity to experience life beyond illness.

Together we saw wish kids take the stage with their favourite singers, travel to far-flung destinations, and transform into princesses and pirates. We hear firsthand from wish families each day just how life-changing the wish experience is. Their stories are only possible through your incredible

and inspiring generosity.

It is our vision to grant the wish of every eligible child. We appreciate your support, and look forward to continuing this journey with you!

on the cover:

I wish to dig for buried treasureZeke, 8leukemia

Adam MerrickPresident

Cathy GabucciCEO

“As a parent, watching your child suffer, it makes you feel very

powerless. It breaks your heart.

To have something like a wish helps you to put it back together again.”

- Jessica, Brendan’s mom

What a Wish Can Do

I wish to sing with OneRepublic

Brendan, 17neurological disorder

Brendan’s WishBrendan, 17, lives with a neurological disorder. Since his diagnosis he’s dealt with seizures every day. He’s unable to get a driver’s license and has undergone four procedures in the past two-and-a-half years.

Almost a year following a surgery that left him paralyzed on one side of his body, Brendan found himself backstage at Rogers Place in Edmonton, his wish being realized. He met One Republic backstage before joining them to sing in front of thousands of fans. “This is going to stick with me forever,” Brendan said.

WISHES BY THE NUMBERS110 wishes granted in 2017

I wish to go67 WISHES

Disney World (29)Hawaii (5)Disney Cruise (4)On a cruise (4)Vancouver (2)Italy (2)Disneyland (1)Mexico (1)Costa Rica (1)Jamaica (1)New York (1)Melbourne (1)Newfoundland (1)Cayman Islands (1)

Dubai (1)New Zealand (1)Rome (1)Paris (1)Nickelodeon Resort (1)Tropical beach (1)Dig for treasure (1)Swim with dolphins (1)Canada’s Wonderland (1)Green Day concert (1)Comic-Con (1)Movie premiere (1)West Edmonton Mall (1)

If you could...

go anywhere, be anyone,

have anything,meet anyone...

what would you choose?

I wish to go on a Disney® cruiseJosie, 7neurological disorder

I wish to meet 13 WISHESDisney character (3)Music celebrity (1)Movie/TV celebrity (3)Sports celebrity/team (5)CEO (1)

I wish to meetRyan ReynoldsHanna, 13cystic fibrosis

“ The impact of this experience was very profound, humbling. Hanna was almost overwhelmed with the

amount of attention that she was given. This experience inspired and encouraged her to believe in herself again and understand that she truly is a special young lady.”

- Carole, Hanna’s mom

12

10

8

3

18

17

16

15

14

13

12

11

10

9

8

7

6

5

4

3

6 6

10

4 4 4

9 9

5

2

Number of Wishes Granted by Age

I wish to be

I wish to give

I wish to have

4 WISHES

1 WISH

25 WISHESCar refurbishment (1)Bedroom makeover (4)Shopping spree (9)Hot tub (2)Photography equipment (2)Customized scooter (1)Computer/Electronics (3)Mountain bike (1)Playhouse/play equipment (2)

A Toronto Blue Jay (1)A video game creator (1)A race car driver (1)In a movie (1)

hospital equipment (1)

I wish to have a shopping spreeBelle, 12cystic fibrosis

I wish to be a Toronto Blue JayBraeden, 3cardiac condition

“ The Blue Jays have been his inspiration for everything. This

experience meant everything to him!”

- Cassandra,Braeden’s mom

“Going on Katelyn’s wish trip felt like a major turning point in her

treatment journey.

It was like a marker-point that signalled that things

are on the up and up.”- Amanda & Don, Katelyn’s parents

What a Wish Can Do

I wish to go on a cruise

Katelyn, 13leukemia

Katelyn’s WishA 13-year-old competitive soccer player, Katelyn found that one of the hardest parts of her treatment was being away from her family, including her brother Ethan and sister Lauren. When choosing her wish, Katelyn wanted to do something her whole family could enjoy: she wished to go on a cruise.

Though she tried snorkeling, horseback riding, surfing, tubing and zip-lining on her trip, Katelyn’s favorite part was the carefree independence she experienced, and the time she spent with her sister and brother.

“It felt like a reconnection,” Ethan said.

Dawn’s WishNever detered by her diagnosis, 13-year-old Dawn was determined to both travel the world and eat her way through Europe. Her wish trip to Rome went a long way towards making those dreams come true.

While in Italy, Dawn and her family filled their days with pizza, gelato, fountains and photography. They took cooking lessons with a pasta and pizza chef and spent a day with a professional photographer. The family experienced great kindness on their trip, and best of all, according to Dawn, “Nutella tastes better in Italy.”

“The help of so many people wrapped around my daughter didn’t just help put her in remission.

It realized the dream we talked about so many times to help get through the long

days and nights of treatment.”- Matthew, Dawn’s dad

What a Wish Can Do

I wish to go to RomeDawn, 13

Hodgkin lymphoma

Our 1000th WishKABREL BECOMES A RACING CHAMPKabrel had a need for speed. Living with a metabolic disorder, the 12-year-old’s childhood hasn’t been as carefree as that of other kids he knows. Still, he dreamed of feeling the speed of a race car as it hugs the track, the torque of the drill within the hustle of the pits, the thrill of crossing the finish line in first place. He wished to be a race car driver.

On race day, the track was surrounded by enthusiastic fans holding signs and cheering loudly for Kabrel. He was officially welcomed to the track by an honour guard of drivers as he walked to the pits. He learned how to change a tire like a pro and was outfitted in his customized red ‘Bad Boy Kabrel’ racing suit, helmet, and red shoes. Kabrel climbed into his race car with Erica Thiering, a NASCAR Whelen All American Series Provincial Champion, for his big moment.

Once the green flag was waved, Kabrel and Erica roared around the track, eventually edging ahead of their competition. Kabrel won the race and brought home a special souvenir - a winner’s trophy with his name on it

Kabrel’s mom says that his wish was truly special for him, “It was something just for him and he loved it.”

I wish to be a race car driver

Kabrel, 12metabolic disorder

Our VolunteersWISH GRANTING, OFFICE & EVENT SUPPORTAt the heart of our organization stands the volunteers that make creating wishes for children with critical illnesses possible. It’s because of these passionate, energetic and positive individuals that 110 wishes were granted in 2017.

In addition to the gift of time, volunteers bring our wishes to life! Every year volunteers go above and beyond to make wishes come true by donating their time in our office, at events, or directly with wish families. Wishes come true because of you.

We are grateful for your endless contributions and your unrelenting belief in making each child’s wish come true. You are the reason why wishes

come true every day and make wish kids feel special and cared for. Thank you!

Strength inNumbers

How can you help?When you get involved with Make-A-Wish®, you’re giving children renewed strength to fight their illnesses, bringing families closer together and uniting entire communities. You can change lives.

To find out how you can make wishes come true, call our office at 780.444.9474 or visit our website at makeawishna.ca

DONATE• Adopt-A-Wish®

• Monthly Donations• Planned Giving• Workplace Donations• Matching Gifts

SPONSOR• Rope for Hope• Calendar of Wishes• Annual Golf

Classic• Joy Ride

FUNDRAISE• Wishes in the

Workplace• Students for Wishes• Kids for Wish Kids®

• Community Events• Wishful Baking Week• Rope For Hope• Hope Run• Joy Ride

VOLUNTEER• Event Support• Wish Granting

Assistant• Office Support

I wish to meet the cast of “Heartland”

Peytyn, 4neurological disorder

“You have given us memories that Alex will be talking about

the rest of his life.

You did not only impact Alex’s life, you impacted

our whole family.”- Darren, Alex’s dad

What a Wish Can Do

Alex’s WishOutgoing and chatty, 6-year-old Alex really loves superheroes, especially Spider-Man. He is so fond of the web-slinging character that Alex’s family often just call him Spider-Man. He’d like to be a robot engineer when he grows up, but in the meantime, he really wanted to meet his hero.

Despite still managing the taking of temperatures and doses of medicine, the family felt the trip opened up a whole new world. “We went an entire week without any problems or complications from Alex’s cancer,” says Alex’s dad. “It was almost like the joy of his trip filled him so much nothing was able to bring him down. He is renewed and ready to tackle what lies ahead. He grew up a mile since diagnosis, but this wish let him be a kid again!”

I wish to meet Spider-Man

Alex, 6leukemia

TOTAL EXCESS

DONATIONS(IN CASH)

WISH GRANTING

DONATIONS(IN KIND)

FUNDRAISING

FUNDRAISING

$1,448,953

$454,361

$61,544

$61,404

$2,788,902

$2,568,627

$220,275

$834,554

$443,851

$2,052,862

$1,222,040

$381,746

$59,095

$56,978

$2,961,860

$2,328,146

$633,714

$795,054

$885,671*

$1,889,422

INVESTMENT

ADMINISTRATION

REVENUES

*Includes bequests

Financials

WISHGRANTINGADMINISTRATION

FUNDRAISING

INVESTMENTS

IN KINDDONATIONS

CORPORATEDONATIONS

INDIVIDUALDONATIONS

CHAPTER EVENTS

DONOR EVENTS

USE OF FUNDS

SOURCE OF FUNDS

2017

2017

2016

2016

EXPENSES

Our SupportersWe are grateful for the support of each and every donor—your gifts make life-changing wishes possible every day. The following list represents those that have generously donated gifts of $10,000 or more in 2017.

Allen & Susan EvaniewBoston Pizza Northern AlbertaBrady Scoggins Memorial Golf Tournament Brownlee LLPBuilding Trades of AlbertaCanadian TireCanadian Western BankChemco Electrical Contractors Ltd.Coast Edmonton Plaza HotelDarrell & Barbara GotaasDale & Tamara KleinDennis O’RourkeEdmonton Civic Employees Charitable Assistance FundEdmonton Islamic AcademyEdmonton Oilers Community FoundationFinning CanadaForbes Bros Ltd.Gord Bamford Charitable FoundationGrand Central Properties

Gregg Distributors Ltd.Hair MassacureHope RunHumpty’s Family RestaurantIn Memory of Jeffrey Zorn’s Annual Memorial BonspielJasper Place High SchoolKeller ConstructionMake-A-Wish Golf Classic presented by The Co-operaters Insurance/Financial Services and Boston PizzaME Lazerte High SchoolMelcor DevelopmentsMLT AikinsNespliak FamilyNewAdNorthlandsPattison Outdoor AdvertisingPennock Acheson Nielsen DevaneyPriority MechanicalRed Deer Valley ShootRio Lima Portuguese Canadian

Cultural SocietyRoger SwainsonRoyal Canadian Legion Branch 281Sawyer’s Super SquadSouthgate Centre Trade It Up!Sureway Construction Group Ltd.Taylor Developments Inc.The BombshellsThe Dream TeamThe Eldon & Anne Foote Fund at Edmonton Community FoundationThompson Bros. (Constr.) LP.Valleyview Cup Hockey TournamentWest Edmonton MallWestek/Trail Golf Tournament WFG Charitable TrustWheels for Wishes Car ShowWilliam D. Cuts Junior High SchoolYoung Professional Advisory Committee for Make-A-Wish Northern Albertazag creative

Make-A-Wish® Northern AlbertaBOARD OF DIRECTORS (September 2016 to September 2017)

Adam Merrick | President

Alyson Hodson | Vice President

Karen Nielsen | Treasurer

Lisa Locher | Secretary

Samir Patel | Medical Advisor

Jennifer Conway | Director

Joel Harrod | Director

Wendy Beaudoin | Director

James Cumming | Director

I wish to go to Hawaii

Keyaan, 4neurological condition

16007 118 Avenue, Edmonton, AB T5V 1C7780-444-9474 Toll Free: 1-866-944-9474 Fax: 780-489-9477

Charitable Registration Number: 86890 2768 RR0001

www.makeawishna.ca

Printing compliments of: