Make-A-Wish launches in the Dominican Republic

Make-A-Wish has launched operations in the Dominican Republic, expanding into its first Caribbean market and ninth country in Latin America. The group plans to begin with 20 wishes in 2026 and grow to nearly 200 by its third year, starting with a wish for a 9-year-old girl with spina bifida and kidney complications.

Why it matters: - Make-A-Wish República Dominicana will bring wish-granting services to children with serious illnesses in a country where families previously had fewer local options. - The launch extends the organization’s footprint into its first Caribbean country and adds a ninth Latin American market. - The program is designed to support not just children, but families going through treatment and recovery.

What happened: - Make-A-Wish announced the start of operations in the Dominican Republic on Oct. 7, 2026. - The launch event took place at Hyatt Centric Santo Domingo. - The event drew business and health leaders, allies and government representatives, including Health Minister Dr. Víctor Atallah. - The Dominican Republic becomes the first Caribbean country where Make-A-Wish has established a presence. - The country is also Make-A-Wish’s ninth in Latin America.

The details: - Make-A-Wish operates in nearly 50 countries, with support from more than 27,000 volunteers. - The organization has helped fulfill more than 650,000 wishes for children with serious illnesses. - In the Dominican Republic, Make-A-Wish will work with hospitals, health professionals, volunteers and partners through a medical referral model. - The organization plans to fulfill 20 wishes during the rest of 2026. - Make-A-Wish República Dominicana expects to reach nearly 200 wishes by its third year of operation. - Funding will come from donations, volunteer support and strategic partnerships with the private sector, civil society and other organizations. - The first wish in the Dominican Republic was granted this week to Abigail, a 9-year-old girl with spina bifida and kidney complications. - Abigail’s wish was to become a nephrologist. - She received a custom medical coat and an honorary diploma before spending a day at the hospital where she receives treatment. - Abigail took part in training activities, spent time with health professionals and observed a nephrologist’s work. - Five Dominican children whose wishes were fulfilled while receiving treatment in the United States also attended the launch event. - Their attendance highlighted the impact of wishes on Dominican families and their support for the new local chapter.

Between the lines: - Make-A-Wish is positioning the Dominican launch as a community effort, not just a nonprofit expansion. - The referral-based model suggests the group is leaning on the health system to identify eligible children efficiently. - The first wish, centered on a child who wants to become a doctor, is a clear public example of the organization’s focus on hope, identity and long-term motivation. - Leadership framed the launch as both a milestone and a call for broader participation from families, businesses and volunteers.

What they said: - Dorothee van Vredenburch, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish International, said the launch reflects the commitment of a community determined to bring the power of a wish to children with serious illnesses. - María Camila Grisales, CEO of Make-A-Wish República Dominicana, said every wish belongs to a child who deserves to dream again and to a family that should not feel alone. - Grisales invited the country to join the effort, saying hope is also part of medicine.

What’s next: - Make-A-Wish República Dominicana is asking people, companies, health professionals and community partners to help refer children, volunteer or donate. - More information is available at makeawish.org.do. - The organization will now focus on building local awareness, expanding referrals and scaling wish fulfillment across the country.

The bottom line: - Make-A-Wish’s Dominican launch gives children with serious illnesses a new local pathway to wish fulfillment, with early ambitions to scale quickly from 20 wishes this year to nearly 200 within three years.