Find answers to your questions about who we are, what we do and how we work to make a difference in the lives of critically ill children.
The Marty Lyons Foundation grants wishes to children (3-17) who have been diagnosed with a terminal or life-threatening illness.
The fourth form is a HIPAA release (commonly referred to as the Authorization to Release Protected Healthcare Information).
It is hospital specific and you will have to request this from the medical facility where your child receives treatment.
This form gives your child’s doctor permission to speak with the MLF.
Once in progress, a wish can take anywhere from a week to a year – or sometimes longer – depending on the type of wish and the child’s health status.
The various wishes sought by children include trips to the magical fantasy world of Disney, luxurious cruises to the Caribbean, the thrill of swimming with the dolphins and fishing on the clear blue sea of Key West.
Another popular wish is a meet & greet with their favorite celebrity or tickets to a concert or sporting event.
Children who are home-bound because of medical treatments may request a computer or laptop to provide them with a window to the world.
Some exceptional requests have included a room or backyard renovation, generators to support life-saving medical equipment and a most heartfelt wish from a southern child to see snow in Vermont.
Please CLICK HERE for our Wish Stories.
While we make every effort to fulfill a child’s wish, some wishes that we cannot grant are:
- Trips outside of the continental US (unless it is a port on a cruise that originated in the continental US)
- Home construction
- Purchase of a vehicle or any type of ATV or motor bike
- Financial assistance
- Firearms
- Anything deemed to be high risk
Please CLICK HERE for Our History.
Our Board of Directors and active volunteers are comprised of caring individuals in many fields including bankers, financial experts, physicians, attorneys, social workers, nurses and business leaders. Each lends their particular area of expertise to further the Foundation’s mission.
At present, MLF operates with four (4) staff members.
Chapters are headed by a volunteer president overseeing other volunteers who function as wish coordinators, fundraisers and local ambassadors.
The average cost for an individual wish is $6,700.
Extenuating circumstances (special transportation needs, medical equipment, and the size of family, to name a few) can increase the expense.
The Board, volunteers and staff are committed to securing these funds through events, foundations, grants and individual donations.
Nearly 75 cents from every dollar donated goes directly to granting a wish.
The average cost for an individual wish is $6,700.
Extenuating circumstances (special transportation needs, medical equipment, and the size of family, to name a few) can increase the expense.
No problem, kindly CLICK HERE to contact us with you question and we will get right back to you.
Yes, we are highly rated by the four (4) major watch-dog groups:
– Four Star rating with Charity Navigator.
– Platinum rating with Candid.
– Top-Rated with Great Non Profits.
– Accredited Charity with Better Business Bureau.
