Info in English

The welfare of the child is the the Foundation's core value and the basis of all of its activities. In fulfilling a wish, it cooperates with doctors and family members and make them a part of the wish experience. In April of 2004 we conducted a survey among Polish kids suffering from life threatening conditions. The answers about their wish fell into one of the 4 categories:

- I want to be

(...a doctor, ballerina, a fireman...)

- I want to have

(...a computer, a bicycle, a book...

- I want to meet

(...a Pope, a soccer player, a rock star...

- I want to go

(...to Disneyland, Paris, Warsaw...)

Since its inception in June of 2003 Fundacja Mam Marzenie established local branches in 16 major Polish cities, where pediatric oncology centers and hospices for children are located. Through the slate of over 600 volunteers who dedicate their time and talents to the welfare of the sick children by the middle  of 2010 more then 2700 children had a first-hand experience of the power of the wish granting and forget for a brief moment about their tragic fate.

Our organization is entirely based on the work of volunteers of whom comprise the Board of Trustees, Board of Directors and 16 local coordinators responsible governing the foundation. Such philosophy of pure pro bono work allows the organization to minimize administration costs to less then 3% of the yearly donations and gain the confidence of the sponsors that every penny they give goes directly to the sick child.

In 2005 in USA the sister organization – Friends of Fundacja Mam Marzenie Inc was established, with aim to propagate the wish granting mission within Polish community and provide financial support to children in Poland through organizing fundraising events. Since its inception,  hundreds of wishes were granted thanks to the generosity of American Polonia bridging the Poles on both sides of the big pond in their love for those who were deprived of their childhood by life-threatening illness.

It was not surprise that then the volunteers showed up at the hospital to ask her for her greatest  wish they brought a gift (so called “icebreaker”) filled with Disney characters.

After the interview nobody had a doubt about her dream – she wants to meet the Mickey!

After a few months of searching for the sponsor Friends of Fundacja Mam Marzenie through donations of Polish community from USA made her wish come true.

The magic trip started in Paris where the group of supporters greeted Roxana and her mom at the airport. First day passed very quickly on sightseeing – Eiffel Tower, Champ Ellyses , Arch of Triumph and other landmarks of the city of lights.

After the exhausting day the group finally reached the Disneyland grounds located outside of Paris and crashed in their rooms.

As a very special guest of the Foundation Roxana received a truly royal treatment – a special greetings from Snow White, Pinokio and Sleeping Beauty and a big basket of gifts for her and her brother Maciek.

Roxana made a great use of her autograph book where all favorite characters put their hand- and paw- written signs. The most unusual  for her was the meeting with Winny the Pooh  - Roxana could not let go her most beloved bear and there were tears involved at the end of the randevous. She’s got a special invitation to the evening play play starring…. Winny and enjoyed every minute of it.

Three days in Disneyland passed like a lighting and it was soon time to go home. On the way back a short stay to say goodbye to Paris and a journey back to the airport. There while waiting for the plane one of the passengers asked Roxana about her Disney toys she was holding so tight in her hands. After hearing her story he got so touched he pledged a big donation to the foundation which helped grant wishes of other children. This way Roxana’s wish  made it possible to bring the smile on the faces of other kids waiting their turn for the big day. What a beautiful end of the magic story of Roxana’s wish!

He was very exited when volunteers paid a visit to his little house in rural part of southern Poland – not often the visitors from such afar show up in his place. The answer to trheir question was one and only – I want to go to the Vatican and pray at Holly Father’s resting place.

Four months later when Patrick almost lost his hope that the dream will ever come true the whole family boarded the car and headed to the Krakow airport ready for their first ever air journey.

The boy was so exited that he could barely breath when captain invited him to the cockpit and let him sit in his chair.

In Rome our “Polish Angel” – Ania who often let our kids stay in  her centrally located apartment during the trips to Italy.

First day the group spent on visiting the historical landmarks of the Eternal City – Panteon. Spanish Stairs and Di Trevi Fountain.  Everybody was exhausted but happy to rash in bed after the day full of beautiful sights and history.

The next morning was dedicated to Vatican – the smallest country in the world and home of the catholic pontiff.  The highlight of the day was a visit to the catacombs where the grave of JP II is located. Patrick was given opportunity to pray at the grave alone as he always wished. It was a very important moment for him and everybody watching was very moved by the sight.

Next day was Wednesday when the Pope holds his official audience for the faithful. Thanks to help of Mrs Ania from Polish Embassy to Vatican Patrick did not only see Benedict XVI but received from him a special blessing

After the amazing meeting with the Pope the wonders of Rome seemed not so shinning as the first day .In the morning Patrick and the family boarded the plane back to Poland and then to his little house in the village. Patric said he will never forget this experience that made him believe that the wishes do come true.

It’s not a surprise that aksed about his greatest wish he answered – to meet Zenadine Zidane!

Zizou has met our kids many times in the past therefore with help of our friends in Fundacion Real Madrid after 3 months the whole family boarded the van for a long road  trip to Spain ( the doctor did not allow Mariusz to travel by plane). Finally after 72 hours of the cross-European journey the group ended up in the capital of Spain and felt asleep in the comfy hotel beds.
On the first day of his visit day Mariusz was invited to watch the practice before the League of the Masters game. This was where the boy had an first opportunity to see his idols up close and personal for the first time – Gravesen,Carlos , Helguera were  very freindly when he asked for an autograph with his innocent smile.

After the practice the gang went to the local zoo to cool off after such exiting day.

But the next day was a real bombshell – mariusz and his family were invited to watch the game in the VIP section of the stadium. Marcin sat letreally behind the coach bench enjoying the best view one can have!

The match started with a little scare – after a first half Real was loosing 0 to 1 Mariusz was so upset he started crying. Fortunately the second half turn the luck around – the final score was 4 to 1 to the Galacticos!. Everybody was happy and ready to celebrate the victory!.

This is when Marcin and his family were invited into the post-game banquet where al the players and the selected guests can mingle together. At soem point he was asked to go to the ajoining room for a face to face meeting with....Ziziu!. Zenadine was really charming and showered the boy with gifts and complements.Marcin could hardly believe his eyes – his idol was shaking his hands and hugging him and joking and telling the stories from the field.

After such an everning it was hard to fall asleep in the hotel. But all good things come to the end and it was time to get ready for the trip back to Poland. 2 days in Madrid will always remain in the memory of marcin and his family as an extraordinary time that only happends in dreams. Unless one is the wish kid of Fundacja Mam Marzenie.