Wish of a Lifetime

Here is the secret to aging: we never stop growing. Sure, beyond the late teens the average person is not going to grow any taller, but each person is always growing and feeling and wishing throughout life.

Non-profit Wish of a Lifetime™ was created to make the wishes of people over age 65 come true. Founded by Jeremy Bloom in 2008 in living honor of his grandmother, the goal of Wish of a Lifetime™ is to create a cultural shift to celebrate seniors by fulfilling their life-enriching wishes. Mr. Bloom is a two-time Olympian, World Cup gold medalist, former NFL football player and entrepreneur.

To date, Wish of a Lifetime™ has granted more than 830 wishes for deserving seniors in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. These wishes don’t just put a smile on someone’s face–they improve an individual’s quality of life. The organization reports that 93 percent of wish recipients reported that “they felt their quality of life improved after having the wish granted and 76 percent said they felt their overall health improved after experiencing a wish.”

In a letter from the founder, Jeremy Bloom stated: “WOL Foundation is built on the premise that senior citizens should be respected, honored and aided in our society. They have given a lifetime of service, wisdom and most of all love to their community and families. It’s not hard to see the challenges that seniors face on a daily basis.”

Making it Happen in Delaware

In March, Jim Nacchia, owner of Homewatch CareGivers in Wilmington, Delaware, was able to help make a wish come true for local resident, Joyce Casanova.

“At Homewatch CareGivers, we witness firsthand the sacrifices that family caregivers like Joyce make every day, often at the expense of their own needs and dreams,” said Jim Nacchia, president, Homewatch CareGivers of Wilmington. “Partnering with Wish of a Lifetime to grant her Wish is the perfect opportunity for our community to show appreciation for Joyce and dedicated caregivers everywhere.”

Mrs. Casanova was recently widowed after caring for her ailing husband for the past seven years. Her wish was to be reunited with her best friend and sister-in-law who lives in Florida. The two women had not seen one another in 13 years.

“I’m pretty excited,” Mrs. Casanova told the Dover Post. “I can’t believe I’m going. I’ve spent the last seven years taking care of my husband who had Parkinson’s disease; I never got out of the house. Now I’m ready to go.”

Wishing for You

Wishes like Mrs. Casanova’s can only be granted if the wish recipient meets the guidelines—including U.S. citizenship, inability to fulfill wish independently, ability to experience the wish—and if their wish is approved by Wish of a Lifetime™. Funds may also be used to cover the cost of a caregiver who needs to travel with a wish recipient for the wish fulfillment.

To learn more about fulfilled wishes across the country—such as three centenarian sisters being reunited; a 95-year old hearing his musical compositions played for an audience for the first time; a 76-year old man returning to Austria where he was orphaned during World War II; a 98-year old football fan meeting her favorite player—and more details about the types of wishes that are granted, visit www.seniorwish.org.