For children with life-threatening diseases, meeting a celebrity face-to-face can be absolutely life-changing. The Make-A-Wish Foundation has been granting children's wishes since the 1980s. Much of their work involves celebrities who volunteer their time to meet the kids, many of whom are terminally ill. Some stars have granted hundreds of wishes to their fans, demonstrating their compassion and empathy for those whose lives can be a daily struggle. Check out some of the most heartwarming celebrity Make-A-Wish stories here.
Do you know which celeb has made the most Make-A-Wish dreams come true? You'll soon find out!
Quarterback Tom Brady Routinely Takes Time To Meet His Fans
Eric, 18, has a hematologic disorder and asked to meet New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. He traveled in a limousine to meet his hero in Massachusetts. Eric spent years watching Brady win Super Bowls and was impressed by the athlete's strength and confidence. The meet-and-greet enabled Eric to keep fighting his own battles and enduring his treatments. He watched a game between the Patriots and the Cowboys at Gillette Stadium (the Patriots won). He was one of seven other kids who met Patriot players on the same day. They also visited the Patriots Hall of Fame as part of their Make-A-Wish experience.
Beyonc00e9 Posed For Photos And Paid Extra Attention To One Little Girl
Seven-year-old Makayla has epidermolysis bullosa. She loves music and dancing, but her life-threatening condition causes painful blisters to form on her skin. Her one wish was to meet Beyonc00e9. Her first stop was a visit to the Mall of America where she played at the indoor water park and went to the salon for a glam-over. She and her family then took a limo to a Beyonc00e9 concert. At one point, they were ushered backstage to the meet-and-greet room. She gave her idol several presents. The singer paid special attention to MaKayla and her family during the performance, and the little girl jumped out of her wheelchair to dance.
Taylor Swift Face-Timed With A Young Girl Just Days Before She Passed Away
In 2013, singer Taylor Swift made eight-year-old Delaney Brown's wish come true. Brown battled leukemia, and the one thing she really wanted to do before she died was to talk to Swift. Five days before her death, Swift Face-timed with Brown. According to the young girl2019s family, Laney's face lit up after she saw Swift on the screen, and it's a moment they will never forget. Laney was so special, she inspired 10,000 people to sing carols outside her home during her very last Christmas. While she was too sick to go to the window and see them, she could still hear their beautiful music.
Gisele B00fcndchen Appeared In A Teen's Makeup Blog
Karina Xavier was a Brazilian teen who battled bone cancer. She also had a popular makeup blog. Supermodel and fellow Brazilian Gisele B00fcndchen first met Xavier during a hospital visit in 2012. The pair ended up getting together on several occasions. At one point, Xavier posted a video of the two of them doing each other's makeup. 201cYou are a warrior, an inspiration of positivity and courage,201d B00fcndchen wrote on her Instagram page. 201cI will be praying for you. Sending you love and light always.201d Unfortunately, Xavier died in 2014 at age 16. Bundchen wrote that Xavier 201cinspired me and so many others with her strength, positivity and love for life.20192019
Lady Gaga Cancelled Her Tour Due To Pain But Still Met With Terminally Ill 5-Year-Old Fan
In 2013, Lady Gaga canceled her "Born This Way" tour because she required emergency surgery. Even though she wasn't feeling well, she made sure to go out of her way for one terminally ill young fan who had traveled from Wisconsin to Chicago to see her perform. Gaga made a special appointment with five-year-old Kayleigh Gurzynski, who suffered from a heart condition. Radio show host Tony Waitekus reached out to Gaga's to make it happen. He wrote on Facebook: "Even though Lady Gaga was not well enough to do the show tonight due to Doctors order (suffering from joint pain), Lady Gaga made it a point of still meeting Kayleigh!" The little girl died later that year.
Miley Cyrus Has Granted Hundreds Of Wishes
Singer Miley Cyrus has been granting wishes for several years. Back in 2012, she met with 14-year-old Emily, who was diagnosed with a neurological disorder, and whose last wish was to meet Miley Cyrus. Cyrus spent some time with the teen as well as seven other kids that day. The star has met thousands of fans over the years but has said she remembers every one of the faces from the Make-A-Wish Foundation because they make as much of an impact on her life as she does on theirs. "You just want to do anything to make them smile," she said.
Selena Gomez Played Xbox With One Lucky Little Girl
Singer/actress Selena Gomez is another star who has granted hundreds of wishes for children. One time she met a seven-year-old girl named Ella who battles acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Ella and her family stayed at the Mondrian Hotel in West Hollywood. A hair and makeup expert helped Ella get glamorous before meeting Selena in person. The pair played a game of 201cKinect: Disneyland Adventures201d together and posed for several photos. Ella then got to watch her idol in concert. Selena even dedicated Ella's favorite song to her: 201cLove You Like a Love Song.201d The little girl was absolutely blown away by all the attention.
Next: this celebrity has fulfilled more Make-A-Wish dreams than any other.
John Cena Is The King Of Make-A-Wish Fulfillment
Former pro wrestler John Cena has granted more Make-A-Wish wishes than any other celebrity. He granted his 500th wish in 2015. He met with Rocco Lanzer, an eight-year-old boy from Queens, New York, who was diagnosed with leukemia. He gave Rocco a championship belt and tickets to Raw. "When he was diagnosed, everybody would tell him you have to be strong and you can never give up," Rocco's mother Maria Lanzer said. "He was like, `Wow, mommy, that's what John Cena says.' I'm like, 'See, if a wrestler tells you to never give up, then you can't give up. You have to fight and be strong.'"
Katy Perry Gave One Teen VIP Seats & Several Souvenirs From Her Tour
Toniann, 15, had a heart condition, and the one thing she wanted more than anything in the world was to meet pop star Katy Perry in person. The teen's wish was granted during Perry's "California Dreams" tour. Toniann got to meet her idol with her mom by her side. She even got a huge hug! During the meet and greet Toniann was also able to hang out with Kerry's large purple cat, Kitty Purry. But that wasn't all -- Toniann didn't leave empty-handed. She received a few neat souvenirs and got to watch Perry's concert from VIP seats.
What did The Rock do to make a group of kids "freak out"? Find out next!
The Rock Took Kids For A Ride In A Lamborghini
In 2017, Dwayne 201cThe Rock201d Johnson took a handful of Make-A-Wish recipients for a ride in a Lamborghini. Johnson said he knew kids loved the supercar, so he was able to get one so he could give them all a ride, even though he barely fit in the driver2019s seat. Calling himself 201cDwanta Claus,201d he wrote on Instagram, 201cThey freaked out. Which is always the best part.201d He added: "My Make A Wish kid2019s (Murat, Maria & Emily) LOVE Lamborghinis and sports cars, so2026 I had one waiting for them so we can have some fun. They freaked out. Which is always the best part."
Justin Bieber Makes Wishes Come True For Fans All Over The World
Justin Bieber is another star who has granted hundreds of wishes to fans, some of whom live across the world. A few years ago he met Leah, 15, from Galway, Ireland. She was a seriously ill teen who loved his music and used him as an escape from her struggles. She went to one of his shows and then met him backstage. He signed her phone case and concert tickets and spent several minutes with her. Bieber has also put on a private concert for a group of girls and spent extra time with 12-year-old fan Emma and 16-year-old fan Ilia through the Make-a-Wish Foundation.
John Stamos & Law & Order: SVU Star Mariska Hargitay Fulfilled One Teen's "Fantastic" Wish
Mallory, 18, struggles with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy. She has been a huge fan of Law & Order: SVU since she was a little girl, and the show inspired her to enter (and win) two science fairs with projects related to forensic science. Her dream is to study psychology and get into the minds of criminals. Her wish was to meet the cast from the show. Mallory and her family traveled in a limo to meet the stars, including Mariska Hargitay and John Stamos (who made a guest appearance in the episode "Bang.") Mallory also met the director and called the experience "beyond fantastic."
The MythBusters Cast Made One Little Boy's Dream Come True
Seven-year-old Jack battles progressive muscle disease. More than anything else, he wanted to meet the cast of MythBusters. His wish was granted when he met the show's hosts, special effects experts Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman, in 2012. The series uses scientific methods to test the validity of numerous myths related to movie scenes, Internet videos, etc. During the set visit, the cast and crew talked about their jobs and answered questions Jack had about the show. Following the tour, Jack ate lunch with the team, collected some autographs, and took a bunch of photos.
George Lopez Spent Easter With A Teen & His Family Before He Passed Away
Isaiah, 16, had acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He required a 201crush wish" in 2012. That's when actor/comedian George Lopez came to the plate. He drove to Isaiah's home on Easter Sunday to celebrate the holiday with the family, who were in the middle of moving to a new house. Unfortunately, Isaiah passed away shortly after the visit. But his mom, Gina, was touched by Lopez's visit: 201cGeorge is very awesome and for a while kept in touch here and there even after Isaiah went to Heaven. He became a member of our family because every time I see him he makes me think of Isaiah even more."
Mario Lopez & Maroon 5 Made An 11-Year-Old Boy Feel Like A Star
Cayden,11, had a brain tumor and had been through many surgeries. More than anything, he wanted to be a pop star in Los Angeles, California, as part of World Wish Day. He visited Macy's to get a makeover before having dinner with his family at the Hard Rock Cafe. He went to Red Bull Records to record a song and performed with Maroon 5. Accompanied by a bodyguard, screaming fans called out his name, and he truly felt like a pop star (he even gave out autographs). Cayden also made an appearance on Extra alongside host Mario Lopez.
Jeff Gordon Turned One Little Boy Into An Honorary Crew Chief
Johnny, 11, was born prematurely and had a double lung transplant when he was only 10 months old. He continued to receive treatments in order to stay healthy. His one wish was to meet NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon, and it was a dream come true. Gordon made Johnny an honorary crew chief for the day and gave him a tour of the Hendrick Motorsports Garage. Johnny was also allowed to sit in his idol's #24 car. He got an autograph and lots of souvenirs before watching his first live NASCAR event where Gordon raced during the Coca-Cola 600.
The Entire Cast Of The Office Shocked One Teen
Anna, 16, has hypoplasia, which prevents her arms and legs from developing and requires her to use a wheelchair. She focused on TV, film, and entertainment to stay cheerful. Her wish was to meet the cast of The Office. She visited the set, including the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company office, which was not a sound stage but an actual office building. She also met B.J. Novak (Ryan Howard), Rainn Wilson (Dwight Schrute), John Krasinski (Jim Halpert), Jenna Fischer (Pam Beesly) and the rest of The Office gang. 201cI was in shock, but they were all so down to earth and different from their characters in real life,201d Anna said.
Michael Jordan Gave Golf Pointers To An Avid Fan
Marc, 16, had a life-threatening blood disease when he met his favorite athlete, Michael Jordan. Jordan gave the teen some golf pointers as well. Marc and his family had a private meeting with Jordan at the golf course Shadow Creek in Las Vegas, Nevada, where the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational was held. It was a dream come true for Marc and his brother, who grew up idolizing Jordan and his athletic abilities, both on the basketball court and in other sports. Marc's mom said: "After all of his sickness and everything that we have gone through, finally seeing his wish come true is what2019s very nice for me. 201d
Tim McGraw Performed A Private Concert For One Young Girl
Taylor, 11, has skeletal malformation. She wanted to meet her favorite singer, Tim McGraw. One day she went to school and her principal read a letter from the country crooner, revealing that she was traveling to New York City the following week to meet him. The two met face to face on Good Morning America, and McGraw gave the young girl a private 30-minute concert with songs such as "Last Dollar" and "My Little Girl." Taylor2019s mom, Kristi, wrote in a note to Make-A-Wish after their trip, 201cThe joy that filled Taylor2019s eyes that day I will never forget.201d
Neil deGrasse Tyson Met & Took A Selfie With A Science-Loving Teen
Lewis, 16, has Hodgkin lymphoma and his wish involved meeting renowned astrophysicist Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson. The teen, who is from Arizona, traveled to Utah to talk with Dr. Tyson before the scientist gave a lecture. Lewis loves science and grew up watching Dr. Tyson on TV. The teen2019s parents went with him to meet his idol. After his wish was granted, Lewis talked about the people in science who make such amazing discoveries. He mentioned the work of Dr. Tyson, as well as Carl Sagan and Richard Feynman. 201cI can only wish for myself to rise to such intelligence one day,201d he said.