Make-A-Wish International Delegation Visits ZCH: A Shared Commitment to Sick Children's Well-being
In a significant step towards enhancing compassionate care for seriously ill children, Zhejiang University Children's Hospital (ZCH) welcomed a high-level delegation from the Make-A-Wish International Foundation for a meaningful exchange on integrating pediatric healthcare with comprehensive support systems on September 9, 2025.
The visit, centered on the theme "Building Bridges with Love, Making Every Wish Shine," featured extensive discussions and facility tours that reinforced the growing partnership between the two organizations. The comprehensive visit, structured around hospital introduction sessions, symposium discussions, and detailed facility tours, demonstrated both organizations' commitment to translating humanistic care principles into tangible actions that benefit young patients.
During the formal talks, Ms. Zhang Weifang, Chairman of ZCH extended a warm welcome to the Make-A-Wish delegation and elaborated on ZCH's innovative approach to pediatric care. "Our collaboration with Make-A-Wish has helped us fully realize that granting a wish for a critically ill child is far more than a one-time joyful experience; it has a profound positive impact on the child's overall health and well-being," Ms. Zhang stated. She emphasized the hospital's dedication to patient- and family-centered care, highlighting ZCH's achievement in cultivating China's first Child Life specialist within a public hospital and establishing itself as a benchmark for child-friendly hospitals.
The visiting delegation was led by Mr. Victor Nichols, Chairman of the Board of Make-A-Wish International, and Mr. Luciano Manzo, the Foundation's President & CEO, accompanied by his wife. They were joined by Ms. Apple Lee, Regional Director of Development & Support for Asia Pacific & Middle East, along with Ms. Wang Yiling, Secretary-General of the Shanghai Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Project Manager Mr. Zhang Jun. The foundation representatives shared their core belief that "Everyone is a special one, and every wish is a special wish," outlining their mission to grant life-changing wishes for children aged 2 to 18 fighting serious illnesses such as cancer, organ failure, and severe heart conditions.
Make-A-Wish International, founded in Phoenix, Arizona in 1980, has grown into a globally influential non-profit organization that has realized more than 615,000 wishes for courageous children worldwide. The collaboration with ZCH, initiated approximately one year ago, was significantly influenced by the hospital's innovative Child Life services, which provide crucial psychological support to young patients undergoing treatment.
The practical benefits of this collaboration were underscored by Ms. Wu Xiaohua, a Child Life specialist at ZCH, who shared valuable insights from her frontline experience. "We have observed that the process of capturing, designing, anticipating, and fulfilling a wish significantly alleviates children's anxiety and pain, strengthening their courage and resilience to continue fighting their illness," Ms. Wu explained. "This aligns perfectly with the Child Life philosophy of using therapeutic play to reduce fear and build resilience. We look forward to deepening our cooperation through specialized training and alliance building to provide warm and effective humanistic care for more children and their families."
Make-A-Wish representatives expressed strong appreciation for ZCH's accomplishments, particularly praising the hospital's thoughtful integration of humanistic care principles that address both physical and emotional needs of young patients. The visit underscored how ZCH truly embodies its service philosophy of "Everything for the Children" through practical, innovative approaches to pediatric care.
This strengthened partnership between Make-A-Wish International and ZCH represents what Ms. Zhang characterized as a "mutual commitment" between transnational philanthropy and healthcare, creating a "profound resonance" in the philosophy of child welfare. The harmony between ZCH's ethos of "Healing Both Body and Mind, Building a Home with Love" and the foundation's mission to "Make Every Wish Shine" promises significant benefits for children facing serious health challenges.
Looking ahead, ZCH leadership confirmed plans to continue advancing medical technology while refining its humanistic care system and deepening collaborations with philanthropic organizations like Make-A-Wish. Both institutions remain committed to advancing collaborative efforts that address both the physical and emotional needs of sick patients, creating a supportive ecosystem where healing and hope thrive together.
