When was the Make-A-Wish Foundation started?
The Make-A-Wish Foundation began in 1980 when U.S. Customs Special Agent Tommy Austin of Arizona helped fulfill a young leukemia patient’s wish to become a police officer. Since then Make-A-Wish has grown to 76 U.S. chapters and 27 international affiliates. The Illinois Chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation was founded in 1985. We serve children who reside in one of the 70 counties in Central and Northern Illinois.
