Miles Drive with NBC Chicago
Successful Drive Grants Wishes
NBC 5 Chicago Hosts Inaugural Air Miles Drive for Make-A-Wish® Illinois
There will be lots of smiling in the coming months as children with life-threatening medical conditions take off to their dream destination thanks to a successful miles drive for Make-A-Wish Illinois by NBC 5 Chicago on June 12. The event raised nearly 7 million airline miles, including one million miles donated by United Airlines to match donations from their MileagePlus members.
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Throughout the 13 hour miles drive, viewers and Make-A-Wish supporters called and logged in to donate their frequent flier miles from American, Delta, United and US Airways to Make-A-Wish Illinois to help defray costs for granting wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions. Wish families and volunteers from corporate supporters including GATX, Macy's, Zurich, CDW and United Airlines were on hand to answer the phones. Every mile donated directly benefits Illinois children and their families as they travel for wish experiences.
Photo: Wish Child Ava with Alicia Roman, NBC Chicago Weather Anchor/Reporter
"With 70 percent of the wishes we grant involving air travel, having the community support this miles drive was hugely important to us and our goal of reaching more children with magical, life-changing wish experiences," said Stephanie Springs, Chief Executive Officer of Make-A-Wish Illinois. "Partnering with NBC 5 Chicago and GATX helped us to deliver this important message and gave the community a way to connect with these courageous children."
"NBC 5 Chicago was proud to partner with Make-A-Wish" said Larry Wert, President/General Manager of NBC 5 Chicago. "We are thrilled it was a great success and that so many children's wishes will be able to come true."
This year, Make-A-Wish Illinois will grant more than 750 wishes to kids in Illinois with life-threatening medical conditions. As travel costs rise and more children's wishes involve travel - for a dream vacation, to meet a celebrity or attend a national sporting event - many more miles are needed to provide travel for wish children and their families each year.
A recent study by Make-A-Wish America indicates that wishes can be a turning point in a child's battle against illness and help children feel stronger, more energetic and more willing and able to comply with treatment protocols. Additionally, wishes empower children to take control over an aspect of their lives while helping them feel less isolated and more self-confident.
The Miles Drive was
generously sponsored
by GATX.
There is never a waiting list for a wish. All eligible children can begin the wish process as soon as the child and family are ready.
