The Make a Wish Foundation
 

The Make a Wish Foundation grants wishes for terminally ill children. In 2006 it took in $182 million in donations. That doesn't count the time contributed by 25,000 volunteers, or donated time from celebrities and sport stars.

I find it incredibly repulsive. It seems like such a throwaway charity, people give money to it when they don't actually want to help anyone. That money could be going to educate inner city kids, cure diseases so those kids weren't terminally ill in the first place, or how about the "Make a Bridge Foundation". Instead they throw parties for kids who are going to die anyway. They're not making any kind of lasting difference in anyone's life, so far as I can tell.

My GF thinks I'm a heartless bastard, what does OOT think?

Re: The Make a Wish Foundation
 

My heart tells me you are a piece of [censored], douche bag, that should be punched in the nards repeatedly.


My head tells me you are right.

Re: The Make a Wish Foundation
 

I agree with your GF.

You're talking about giving dying kids one last chance to realize their dreams, or at least something special and meaningful to them.

Deciding which charity to donate to is a tough decision. Personally, I'd much rather donate to the Make-A-Wish than to something like AIDS research. AIDS is a fully preventable disease. Many of these kids have terminal forms of cancer that they didn't contract by sharing needles or engaging in unprotected sex.

Re: The Make a Wish Foundation
 

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My GF thinks I'm a heartless bastard, what does OOT think?

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Your girlfriend is a smart woman. You sir are a douchebag. Make a Wish gives a dying kid a chance to do what they have been dreaming of doing in their short time on earth. Sure, that $125 million could go to cancer research or educate inner-city kids, but how does that help the little bloke who's about to die?

Besides, who's to say that the people who make the donation to make-a-wish would actually donate that money to a cause you see fit? They may just keep the money instead.

Re: The Make a Wish Foundation
 

cbloom,

Of all the things to complain about, of all the things our government and society spend money on, of all the out-of-whack priorities we have, you choose to be incredibly repulsed by The Make a Wish Foundation. That makes a whole ton of sense.

Re: The Make a Wish Foundation
 

The way Im looking at things, is that if the money was spent to help cure the diseases, rather than sending kids with teh diseases to disney land, it would better for everyone in teh long run.



but I hate thinking that way because those kids have it rough.

Re: The Make a Wish Foundation
 

[ QUOTE ]
The way Im looking at things, is that if the money was spent to help cure the diseases, rather than sending kids with teh diseases to disney land, it would better for everyone in teh long run.



but I hate thinking that way because those kids have it rough.

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Agreed. But that's kind of a black-and-white wordview, no? I mean, do we just say "[censored] those dying kids and let's concentrate on the ones that aren't dying yet"?

Re: The Make a Wish Foundation
 

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[ QUOTE ]
The way Im looking at things, is that if the money was spent to help cure the diseases, rather than sending kids with teh diseases to disney land, it would better for everyone in teh long run.



but I hate thinking that way because those kids have it rough.

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Agreed. But that's kind of a black-and-white wordview, no? I mean, do we just say "[censored] those dying kids and let's concentrate on the ones that aren't dying yet"?

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Ya, basically, but one of the biggest problems I know I have is viewing things in black and white.

Re: The Make a Wish Foundation
 

My company does media management for this organisation, so I have to read/write about it every other day.

To a terminally ill 4 year old, a visit to meet Mickey at Disneyland is far more life enriching than the hope that there might be a cure for cancer in 50 years' time.

Isn't your stance the same as saying "why not shut down state-financed hospices" - does quality of life become worthless once you're diagnosed with a terminal illness?

At a meta level, I understand where you're coming from, but don't think a little bit of kindness towards dying kids is money wasted.

Re: The Make a Wish Foundation
 

Hey moran, the people who give their money to Make-A-Wish understand how it will be used. Why shouldn't a kid dying of cancer get a trip to Disney World? His parents have most likely spent much of their life savings paying for the child's medical care and probably can't afford a trip to Disney World.

I have a lot of admiration for athletes and famous people who volunteer to spend a day with these kids (and I mean a full day, not a 15 minute meet and greet.) It has to be quite humbling to realize that in this kid's world you are one of the main sources of hope for this kid as he/she lives a short, tough life.

For your next foolish rant, I suggest you discuss the merit of euthanizing all the poor as the easiest way to eliminate poverty.

Re: The Make a Wish Foundation
 

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For your next foolish rant, I suggest you discuss the merit of euthanizing all the poor as the easiest way to eliminate poverty.

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I still maintain Jonathan Swift knew what he was talking about.

Re: The Make a Wish Foundation
 

[ QUOTE ]
My company does media management for this organisation, so I have to read/write about it every other day.

To a terminally ill 4 year old, a visit to meet Mickey at Disneyland is far more life enriching than the hope that there might be a cure for cancer in 50 years' time.

Isn't your stance the same as saying "why not shut down state-financed hospices" - does quality of life become worthless once you're diagnosed with a terminal illness?

At a meta level, I understand where you're coming from, but don't think a little bit of kindness towards dying kids is money wasted.

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Well, in my view state sponsored hospices are way different than sending a kid to disney land. one is providing the very basic needs for a person to live on, one is "lavishing" a kid with gifts (even though, I dont have much of a problem with it). I know I sound liek a douche, but from a logical prespective, this is what I think, from an emmotional persepective give these kids whatever they want if people are willing to donate to it.

Re: The Make a Wish Foundation
 

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Hey moran, the people who give their money to Make-A-Wish understand how it will be used. Why shouldn't a kid dying of cancer get a trip to Disney World? His parents have most likely spent much of their life savings paying for the child's medical care and probably can't afford a trip to Disney World.

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And of course he realizes this. The entire argument comes down to one question: Is the emotional satisfaction of terminally ill children and their families worth more than other socially productive ways in which this money could be used? It's obviously a hard-hearted question to be asking, but I don't think it's entirely unfair. Obviously from this thread people will have different opinions on it. My take is that I don't think charitable contributions are zero-sum. I suspect many people contributing to Make a Wish are not looking to make a random charitable donation but particularly like its mission.

Re: The Make a Wish Foundation
 

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And of course he realizes this. The entire argument comes down to one question: Is the emotional satisfaction of terminally ill children and their families worth more than other socially productive ways in which this money could be used ?

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If the government provided everyone with enough food and shelter to survive and took 100% of our wages, I bet a lot of diseases could be cured.

Re: The Make a Wish Foundation
 

Obviously if there were infinite amounts of charitable contributions in the world I would think it was great, but if you assume the money would go to something else instead, then it seems really harmful to me. Also obviously I am in fact a heartless bastard.

Re: The Make a Wish Foundation
 

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And of course he realizes this. The entire argument comes down to one question: Is the emotional satisfaction of terminally ill children and their families worth more than other socially productive ways in which this money could be used ?

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If the government provided everyone with enough food and shelter to survive and took 100% of our wages, I bet a lot of diseases could be cured.

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what?

Re: The Make a Wish Foundation
 

"My wish is to keep on living!"

"Ooh, sorry Timmy we're not gonna be able to do that. Want to meet an NFL player instead?"

Re: The Make a Wish Foundation
 

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Personally, I'd much rather donate to the Make-A-Wish than to something like AIDS research. AIDS is a fully preventable disease. Many of these kids have terminal forms of cancer that they didn't contract by sharing needles or engaging in unprotected sex.

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tell that to the millions of kids who are BORN with AIDS and have no choice in the matter. or to the people whose backasswards third world churches or leaders tell them they can cure AIDS by having sex with virgins, that condoms don't work or are against god's will, etc.

jesus christ. AIDS is a terrible epidemic that could even further destabilize world health if it mutates and becomes more hardy.

Re: The Make a Wish Foundation
 

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Also obviously I am in fact a heartless bastard.

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I think you're the kind of person who enjoys shocking people by making statements that are completely cold and heartless. It gives you a little bit of joy to see people become uncomfortable when you say insensitive things.

Re: The Make a Wish Foundation
 

I lost a cousin to leukemia a few years ago. He was 8 when he died. The people at the Make a Wish foundation are among the best people this world has to offer. It's more than just money. They are there for the parents when the horror of what they are going through is too much. There are many people inside the organization that have gone through it themselves, and they truly understand what it means to bury a child.

My guess is that you have no children. Being a father of two healthy children I am eternally grateful each and every day for that gift. I am also happy to know that at least there is some group out there whose sole reason for existing is to try to help out those who are not as lucky as me, and I humbly support them in whatever way I can.

Re: The Make a Wish Foundation
 

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Personally, I'd much rather donate to the Make-A-Wish than to something like AIDS research. AIDS is a fully preventable disease. Many of these kids have terminal forms of cancer that they didn't contract by sharing needles or engaging in unprotected sex.

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tell that to the millions of kids who are BORN with AIDS and have no choice in the matter. or to the people whose backasswards third world churches or leaders tell them they can cure AIDS by having sex with virgins, that condoms don't work or are against god's will, etc.

jesus christ. AIDS is a terrible epidemic that could even further destabilize world health if it mutates and becomes more hardy.

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You make a valid point - I'll concede that. I was thinking in terms of a North American perspective. But you definitely make a good point.

Re: The Make a Wish Foundation
 

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They are there for the parents when the horror of what they are going through is too much. There are many people inside the organization that have gone through it themselves, and they truly understand what it means to bury a child.


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Ok, see, I totally wasn't thinking about that aspect, which is pretty retarded of me. I was just thinking about the child's appreciation of the gift, but I guess in reality the help for the grieving parents and family and friends and such is at least as much of the equation.

Re: The Make a Wish Foundation
 

To anyone that doesn't believe in an everafter, and believes that life is just life, no warmup to eternity, make-a-wish is incredibly important. Life is a blink for most of us - there isn't enough time to do all that we want to do and experience all that we want to experience. For these kids, life never even gets started. If make-a-wish can deepen their experience and lighten their existence, good for them. I know life is random and unfair, but damn, man, to not even have a chance to know what you've missed? That's heavy.

Good for make-a-wish -- at least now the kids will have some cherished experience that they never would have had otherwise.

Re: The Make a Wish Foundation
 

Forgot to mention something. Even though NT!'s points are valid, that still doesn't change the fact that AIDS is indeed 100% preventable. Okay - no more threadjacking from me...

Re: The Make a Wish Foundation
 

This retardo argument hinges on a flawed premise that this money would be otherwise availalbe if not for MAW.

The sappy folks who donate to stuff like this are less likely to give money to the feed the starving baby gay black kids association. That's lame, but it's also true.

Re: The Make a Wish Foundation
 

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The Make a Wish Foundation grants wishes for terminally ill children. In 2006 it took in $182 million in donations.

I find it incredibly repulsive...That money could be going to educate inner city kids, cure diseases so those kids weren't terminally ill in the first place, or how about the "Make a Bridge Foundation". Instead they throw parties for kids who are going to die anyway. They're not making any kind of lasting difference in anyone's life, so far as I can tell.

My GF thinks I'm a heartless bastard, what does OOT think?

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$182 million works out to about 60 cents for every man, woman, and child in America. Don't be such a heartless nit.

The money makes lasting differences in the lives of the children who are recipients of the made wishes that likely last...well, the rest of their lives.

Re: The Make a Wish Foundation
 

Wouldn't it also be better in the long run to just kill off everyone who has AIDS?

Re: The Make a Wish Foundation
 

[ QUOTE ]
The way Im looking at things, is that if the money was spent to help cure the diseases, rather than sending kids with teh diseases to disney land, it would better for everyone in teh long run.



but I hate thinking that way because those kids have it rough.

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meh, why not apply the same logic then and say, why even waste any money on charity, since even if you cure diseases the people who have those diseases are just going to die eventually anyway?

Re: The Make a Wish Foundation
 

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[ QUOTE ]
The way Im looking at things, is that if the money was spent to help cure the diseases, rather than sending kids with teh diseases to disney land, it would better for everyone in teh long run.



but I hate thinking that way because those kids have it rough.

[/ QUOTE ]

meh, why not apply the same logic then and say, why even waste any money on charity, since even if you cure diseases the people who have those diseases are just going to die eventually anyway?

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Because there is a basic quality of life imo that people on earth should have while your here, that I can only hope is someday achieved, being disease free is part of that, taking kids to disneyland isnt.

Re: The Make a Wish Foundation
 

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[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
The way Im looking at things, is that if the money was spent to help cure the diseases, rather than sending kids with teh diseases to disney land, it would better for everyone in teh long run.



but I hate thinking that way because those kids have it rough.

[/ QUOTE ]

meh, why not apply the same logic then and say, why even waste any money on charity, since even if you cure diseases the people who have those diseases are just going to die eventually anyway?

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Because there is a basic quality of life imo that people on earth should have while your here, that I can only hope is someday achieved, being disease free is part of that, taking kids to disneyland isnt.

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exactly, so given that there is no dollar amount that when reached all disease will be eradicated and everyone will have that quality of life, what is wrong with giving money to some people so that they can have a wonderful moment in a life that is going to be drastically short on wonderful moments.

Re: The Make a Wish Foundation
 

[ QUOTE ]
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The way Im looking at things, is that if the money was spent to help cure the diseases, rather than sending kids with teh diseases to disney land, it would better for everyone in teh long run.



but I hate thinking that way because those kids have it rough.

[/ QUOTE ]

meh, why not apply the same logic then and say, why even waste any money on charity, since even if you cure diseases the people who have those diseases are just going to die eventually anyway?

[/ QUOTE ]


Because there is a basic quality of life imo that people on earth should have while your here, that I can only hope is someday achieved, being disease free is part of that, taking kids to disneyland isnt.

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exactly, so given that there is no dollar amount that when reached all disease will be eradicated and everyone will have that quality of life, what is wrong with giving money to some people so that they can have a wonderful moment in a life that is going to be drastically short on wonderful moments.

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meh, I have the hope that eventually all or at least all but the most harmful diseases will be cured.

Re: The Make a Wish Foundation
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
The way Im looking at things, is that if the money was spent to help cure the diseases, rather than sending kids with teh diseases to disney land, it would better for everyone in teh long run.



but I hate thinking that way because those kids have it rough.

[/ QUOTE ]

meh, why not apply the same logic then and say, why even waste any money on charity, since even if you cure diseases the people who have those diseases are just going to die eventually anyway?

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i really need to bring back the alobarisright gimmick.

seriously your logic is really retarded.

Re: The Make a Wish Foundation
 

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[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
The way Im looking at things, is that if the money was spent to help cure the diseases, rather than sending kids with teh diseases to disney land, it would better for everyone in teh long run.



but I hate thinking that way because those kids have it rough.

[/ QUOTE ]

meh, why not apply the same logic then and say, why even waste any money on charity, since even if you cure diseases the people who have those diseases are just going to die eventually anyway?

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i really need to bring back the alobarisright gimmick.

seriously your logic is really retarded.

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meh not really.


selfish, Ill agree too.

Re: The Make a Wish Foundation
 

yeah the money could be better spent, but being repulsed by it is so dumb.

Re: The Make a Wish Foundation
 

My brother got to take part in make-a-wish about 10 years ago. He loved the Home Alone movies and could quote large chunks of them despite brain damage. He got to live out the life of Kevin for one day in New York city and the pictures of the smile on his face that day are priceless. I believe if you honestly knew the people who do this work; if you really new the people who have benefited from this, there is no way you would ever say something as foolish as this.

People give money all the time to worthless organizations and charities where most of the money is eaten up along the way and never gets to the right people. I know for a fact that make-a-wish is not one of those companies and appears to be very well run. I am really thankful that they exist and do what they do. Apparently other people are too, because otherwise they would not receive such large donations.

After seeing it in action, this post really pisses me off.

Re: The Make a Wish Foundation
 

Just donated $100. Thanks for the heads-up, cbloom.

Re: The Make a Wish Foundation
 

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I find it incredibly repulsive. It seems like such a throwaway charity, people give money to it when they don't actually want to help anyone.

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Which do you find more repulsive- MaWF, or people with private jets?

If you intentionally meant the word "repulsive", I feel very sorry for you, and your soon-to-be-ex. Seriously, you might as well go out and kick some puppies and knock over a baby carriage.

Re: The Make a Wish Foundation
 

Just wanted to point out that the kids aren't always terminal. The criteria is life threatening disease. I have two friends whose children participated in this program and their kids are alive and well many years after the MAW people did their thing.

Both families loved the program. It was a nice break for the whole family, especially for the siblings of the sick children. If you've ever taken care of a seriously ill loved one, then you'll understand that a break from it all can be wonderful.

Re: The Make a Wish Foundation
 

id pick angelina jolie, and then i would ask her for a bj.

Re: The Make a Wish Foundation
 

The stories I see about MAW usually make me tear up. It is nice to see children who have went through so much pain get to experience something that "Makes their life" (their words, not mine).

The nice thing, is it isn't absurdly lavish things either these kid are receiving, it's meeting celebrities and going to ballgames, Disney, etc.

Thank god for my healthy 3 year old son, but if my child was sick I would want to do everything I could to make his life better and see him smile. Not everyone has the ability to do that.