Make-A-Wish® Illinois Chapter

Laura Ricketts/Chicago Cubs

Wish child and Cubs fan Marco was granted his wish to cover his favorite team on a television sports broadcast.

The Chicago Cubs have a long history of granting wishes for children through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Cubs owner Laura Ricketts also serves as chair of Chicago Cubs Charities and has continued the team's tradition and her own dedication to community service.

"Granting wishes allows us to brighten lives of some of the Cubs fans around the country who are most in need," Ricketts said. "When we see a smile or get a warm greeting from someone whose life is otherwise stressed, we are so grateful for having had the opportunity to allow the Cubs to better someone's day."

The Cubs have helped to grant wishes every year since 1987 and more requests for Cubs-related wishes are made each year. The team has helped fulfill wishes to meet famous Cubs Alfonso Soriano, Sammy Sosa, Ryne Sandberg, Kerry Wood and Ron Santo. In 2004, wish child Ryan got his wish to bring his youth baseball team to play in Wrigley Field.

Marco, a teen interested in broadcasting, wished to broadcast alongside Cubs legend and radio announcer Ron Santo on WGN radio. His wish was granted in 2008 and FOX television filmed the broadcast allowing it to reach millions of viewers across the country on national television.

Several months after his wish, Marco spoke publicly at a Make-A-Wish event and said: "I can honestly say that on the day of my wish, I truly experienced the greatest day of my life. I got to meet all the players I had watched and talked about ... That day changed my life forever."

Chicago Cubs Charities recently named the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois as a beneficiary of the 2011 Chicago Cubs Bricks and Ivy Ball. The team's support in creating these life-changing experiences led the Make-A-Wish Foundation to honor Laura Ricketts of the Chicago Cubs as one of our 25 Leaders in Joy.