We all know the incredible power of wishes for kids facing critical illnesses – just like 6-year-old María’s wish to be a princess, which included a virtual royal visit, all in Spanish, from Princess Belle. These transformational wishes are more than just special moments in time. They can be life-changing. And their impact can stay with a wish child – and the millions of people who make them come true – for a lifetime.

At the 2019 D23 Expo, Disney CEO, and Make-A-Wish America Board Member, Bob Chapek shared an incredible video that brought the power of wishes to life – and showed the lasting impact they can have on a wish kid. Today, we’re excited to introduce you to a new video series called The Wish Effect, where we’ll take a deeper look at the journeys of some amazing wish kids and their unforgettable stories. You’ll hear first-hand about their wish, how their wish has stayed with them, and what they’re up to these days.

To kick it off, we wanted to share a follow-up to the video Bob shared at D23. We hope that you enjoy this behind-the-scenes look at four of these incredible wish kids and feel inspired by their bravery and resilience in the face of adversity. You’ll see that a wish is only the beginning!

Since the very first wish was granted at Disneyland Resort nearly 40 years ago, Disney and Make-A-Wish have worked together to make more than 140,000 wishes come true. A wish reflects the creativity of each child’s imagination, which is why we’re so honored that half of all wishes Make-A-Wish grants in the United States are Disney wishes.

Stay tuned for even more stories as part of The Wish Effect!