Interviews

Celebrating Professor Klara Posfay Barbe: A Milestone Achievement in Swiss Medical History

At Make-A-Wish, we are thrilled to congratulate Professor Klara Posfay Barbe, a distinguished member of our Medical Committee and Medical Advisor, on her historic appointment as Medical Director of the University Hospitals of Geneva (#HUG). This groundbreaking achievement marks the first time a woman has held this esteemed position in Switzerland.

In a recent interview with Make-A-Wish, Professor Posfay Barbe shared her unique experiences with the Wish Kids and highlighted the essential role that fulfilling wishes plays in supporting the treatment and emotional well-being of seriously ill children. She emphasized that these special moments bring therapeutic benefits that go beyond standard medical care, enhancing the children’s overall quality of life.

Professor Posfay Barbe’s reflections underscore the positive impact that wishes provide, offering inspiring insight into how emotional and psychological support can uplift young patients in their recovery journeys. Her expertise and compassionate approach serve as a beacon of hope for children, families, and everyone dedicated to supporting these courageous young patients.

We are immensely grateful for Professor Posfay Barbe’s dedication to our mission and her unwavering commitment to the well-being of children facing critical illnesses. Her work continues to drive us forward, reinforcing our shared belief in the power of hope.

Thank you, Professor Posfay Barbe, for your tireless dedication, passion, and support. Together, we remain committed to transforming dreams into lasting hope for children and their families.

The Transformative Power of a Wish: Dr. Brazzola’s Insights on Healing and Hope

“There is a spark… a strength, an energy that wish children have acquired, allowing them to endure certain challenges much more easily,” says Dr. Brazzola, based in the Italian-speaking Ticino region of Switzerland, when describing the positive impact a wish can have on a critically ill child’s healing journey. This spark, he explains, is not just symbolic but can tangibly influence a child’s resilience and well-being as they navigate their treatment.

At Make-A-Wish Switzerland, some of our most passionate supporters are medical professionals who witness first-hand the profound difference a wish can make. Doctors like Dr. Brazzola are often the first to see a child’s need for hope and joy, referring them to Make-A-Wish and observing the positive effects throughout the wish journey. With over a decade of partnership, Dr. Brazzola has referred countless children, seeing each wish as a powerful moment of upliftment that contributes to their healing.

Make-A-Wish International President & CEO Luciano Manzo recently had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Brazzola to discuss his invaluable experiences and the broader impact of wish fulfillment. Dr. Brazzola’s enduring commitment to Make-A-Wish reflects a belief shared by many in the medical community: that granting a wish provides critically ill children with renewed strength, motivation, and hope.

This partnership between medical professionals and Make-A-Wish exemplifies how compassion and community support can come together to brighten lives, foster resilience, and create lasting memories for children and their families. We are immensely grateful to Dr. Brazzola and all the medical professionals who share in our mission to transform lives, one wish at a time.

Articles / Media

Wishes

A child’s wish is unique and must be chosen by the child. We take care of preparing and carrying out the personalised wish. Our talented volunteers from Ticino first meet the child and his or her family at home to get to know each other and understand the reason for the choice. This is followed by a whole waiting phase, sometimes with the help of external service providers, during which we prepare the child for their wish and involve them in certain decisions so that they can start dreaming. Children want to meet their idols, have an exciting experience, go to the place of their dreams or get something they’ve always dreamed of. We always create an event and add a touch of magic to the wish with little surprises, so that it remains a positive memory to share with the whole family.

Thank you to Farmacie Spazio Salute for this article about the Foundation and, in particular, the stages involved in granting a wish.

What does it mean to grant a wish as we understand it at Make-A-Wish?

A wish is not just a fleeting gift for a seriously ill child. It’s a planned journey, designed to complement their medical treatment. The process of making a wish come true – from capturing it to anticipating it, from the big day of the wish to memorable memories – helps to enhance the child’s emotional and physical wellbeing, as it offers powerful and positive experiences.

Thank you to Femmes et Sports magazine for this article about the Foundation and, in particular, the stages involved in granting a wish.

How does Make-A-Wish work in Switzerland and Liechtenstein?

An interview that reveals the steps involved in making the wishes of children with serious illnesses come true. Answering questions such as: What are the possible areas of wishes that the foundation can grant?

Thanks to @UNToday for this article about Make-A-Wish’s mission and the dreams it fulfils!

20 years of the Make-A-Wish Foundation

Whether it’s Roger Federer’s tips and tricks, flying in a fighter jet or meeting Mickey Mouse in a luxury hotel: when it comes to the most heartfelt wishes of seriously ill children, the Make-A-Wish Switzerland Foundation makes almost anything possible. The story of Make-A-Wish International began over 40 years ago when a seven-year-old boy in Phoenix dreamed of being a policeman for a day while suffering from severe leukaemia. A small group of volunteers made this possible and went on to found an organisation to help other children fulfil their heart’s desires. Since then, volunteers in over 50 countries have made magical experiences possible for more than half a million sick children aged between 3 and 18. Make-A-Wish Switzerland is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

Thanks to @schweizer illustrierte for this article on the Foundation’s 20th anniversary and the mission of Make-A-Wish!

A positive impact on morale

“We make impossible dreams possible. Devon has had the opportunity to talk to famous drivers. The hardest thing is to reunite a child with a significant other. Granting a child’s wish has a fundamental impact on their morale. Several studies say so. It is also something that volunteers and families enjoy. There are families who go into crisis when faced with a child’s illness. Wish fulfilment unites them.”

Desirée Dellavolta, Southern AlpsMake-A-Wish Manager

Thanks to @ticionline for this article on Devon’s story and the mission of Make-A-Wish!

20 years of granted wishes

“Make-A-Wish of Switzerland and Liechtenstein was founded in Geneva in 2003 and has since granted more than 750 wishes to seriously ill children, often with activities involving the whole family.

On the occasion of its 20th anniversary, Make-A-Wish wants to focus on solidarity and visibility. To this end, various events of all kinds were organised in all regions of Switzerland and Liechtenstein: charity runs, lunches, fundraising evenings, tournaments, concerts, time shops, to name but a few.”

Thanks to @ticinowelcome for this article in honour of the 20th anniversary of the Make-A-Wish Switzerland Foundation!