(This article was written by Beth Marie Cantu Ensign and was featured in the April 2025 issue of Explore Harlingen Magazine.)
Every child deserves a moment of pure joy—a chance to dream beyond the walls of a hospital room, to experience something magical. For children battling critical illnesses in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV), Make-A-Wish RGV is a fairy godmother, turning dreams into reality.
Under the current leadership of CEO Rebecca Ramirez Gearhart, Make-A-Wish RGV continues to inspire the lives of children and families facing critical illnesses throughout our Valley home. In 1998, the Make-A-Wish RGV branch became independent from its place as part of the Houston chapter to focus solely on children from Cameron, Hidalgo, Willacy, Brooks, Kenedy, and Starr counties. Since then, the organization has granted nearly 1,800 wishes, bringing joy and hope to families during some of their most challenging times.
“I truly believe that the hope and the love and the joy that wishes bring to families is something so special,” Gearhart notes.
Make-A-Wish grants wishes to children between the ages of 2½ and 18 who are diagnosed with critical illnesses. Many believe that wishes are only for terminally ill children, but that’s a common misconception, according to Gearhart. Many wish recipients go on to recover and lead fulfilling lives. Gearhart has witnessed firsthand that the experience of receiving a wish can be transformative, providing emotional strength and resilience as kids and their families undergo medical treatments.
The journey of granting a wish starts with a referral, which can come from a medical professional, family member, or even the child. Once eligibility is confirmed, the Make-A-Wish team meets with the child to uncover his or her biggest dream. Wishes generally fall into five categories: “Wish to Go” (travel experiences like visiting Disney World or South Padre Island), “Wish to Have” (special gifts such as gaming systems or bedroom makeovers), “Wish to Be” (becoming a superhero, a firefighter, or another dream role for a day), “Wish to Meet” (meeting a celebrity, athlete, or public figure), or “Wish to Give” (children using their wish to help others).
After approval, the planning process begins, ensuring that every detail is perfect. While the ideal timeline is three to six months, urgent wishes can be granted in as little as two weeks when necessary.
Much like any nonprofit organization, one of the biggest challenges Make-A-Wish RGV faces is funding. The organization relies on donations, grants, and fundraising events to keep wishes alive. “Every wish costs $6,500-$7,500 on average,” Gearhart shares. “And with prices going up, we rely heavily on the community to help us fund our wishes.”
Fortunately, the RGV community has always stepped up. Local businesses, schools, and volunteers come together to provide support, whether through hosting fundraising events or ensuring wish days are extra special.
Some wishes stand out not just for their grandeur, but for their emotional impact. One particularly moving story is that of a young girl who battled severe epilepsy and had undergone multiple brain surgeries. “[Her mother] said ‘you know we […] could've bought a puppy at any time,’” Gearhart shares. “But they were so focused on the doctor’s appointments. They were so focused on their child's medical needs [...] that was the last thing that they were thinking [about]. It gave the family some sort of relief and rest, because we were taking care of all the extra stuff and giving them a little bit of hope that they didn’t have.”
For other families, these wishes offer a rare chance to escape the daily struggles of illness and simply enjoy time together.
Make-A-Wish RGV offers multiple ways for the community to get involved. While every dollar donated makes a difference in granting a child's wish, volunteering and sharing a social media post are both greatly impactful.
For families currently facing a critical illness, Gearhart shares this message: “You are not alone. While doctors provide medicine, we provide hope. We are here for you every step of the way.”
To learn more about Make-A-Wish RGV or to support their mission, visit their Facebook page (@makeawishfoundationrgv) or website at https://wish.org/rgv.
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