Each year at our National Sales Meeting, McGraw Hill strives to make a positive impact on the local community. This year, we are proud to partner with Make-A-Wish Southern Florida to help make life-changing wishes come true for children with critical illnesses. Our goal is to raise at least $50,000, enough to grant the heartfelt wishes of 10 children.

Ariel is just one of the many wishes we are fundraising for. Born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, Ariel had her first open heart surgery at just 2 weeks old. During surgery, her heart stopped beating and she had to be resuscitated. Her recovery was rough and unpredictable which led to her remaining in the hospital until her second open heart surgery at 5 months old. At 3 years old, Ariel underwent her third open heart surgery which led to unexpected and fatal complications that almost took her life. Because she had very little contact with the outside world for her first 3 years of life, Ariel looked forward to watching the Disney princesses on the Disney Channel, and the princesses ultimately became her friends. Her favorite princess is Elsa.

Ariel is now 5 years old and will be heading off to kindergarten this upcoming school year. She enjoys dance classes and just performed in her first dance recital last December. She has also started swimming lessons, which she enjoys very much. Ariel says going on a Disney Cruise, dressing up like a Disney princess, and seeing the princesses in person will be “the best day ever”.

When a wish is granted, a child replaces fear with confidence, sadness with joy and anxiety with hope. The majority of wish kids go on to beat their critical illnesses, and research shows that a wish can help children build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight – giving them a better chance of surviving and thriving.

Every day, 70+ children are diagnosed with a critical illness and count on donors like us to help make their wish come true.

Thanks for your support!