Make-A-Wish Foundation Charity Hoaxes

Each day the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America and chapters receive hundreds of inquiries regarding chain letters claiming to be associated with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. As a matter of policy, the Make-A-Wish Foundation does not conduct these types of wishes – including Internet and e-mail requests.

Below are the chain letters currently circulating around the world:

• Amy Bruce
• Jeff DeLeon
• Rhyan Desquetado
• LaNisha Jackson
• Nikisha Johnson
• Jessie Anderson
• Kayla Wightman

This Internet-based chain letter claims that a 7-year-old girl named Amy Bruce, who is suffering from a brain tumor and lung cancer, will receive 7 cents from the Make-A-Wish Foundation each time her letter is forwarded via e-mail or shared on social networking websites.

Variations of this letter featuring the names Jeff DeLeon, Rhyan Desquetado, LaNisha Jackson, Nikisha Johnson, Jessie Anderson, and Kayla Wightman have also been circulating and are not legitimate. Names of Craig Shergold, Craig Sheldon, Craig Sheppard, Craig Shelton, and Craig Shelford are also being used.

In 1989, a then 9-year-old boy named Craig Shergold wanted to be recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records for receiving the most greeting cards. His wish was fulfilled by another wish-granting organization not associated with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. His wish was fulfilled in 1990 after receiving more than 16 million cards. Craig is now a healthy college student, and he has requested an end to the mail. Mail that is received is forwarded to a recycling center.

Anthoney Hebrank

This chain e-mail claims that Anthoney Hebrank, a sick 9-year-old boy from Garland, Texas, has requested Christmas cards from around the country and that the Make-A-Wish Foundation is allegedly involved.

This claim is false. The Make-A-Wish Foundation has no connection whatsoever to any such supposed request. In fact, our North Texas chapter (in whose territory Garland, Texas, is located) has confirmed that they do not have, nor have they had, a wish child named Anthoney Hebrank.

Samples of the Make-A-Wish Foundation Chain Letter Hoaxes

Hi, my name is Amy Bruce.

I am 7 years old, and I have severe lung cancer . I also have a large tumor in my brain, from repeated beatings. Doctors say I will die soon if! this isn’t fixed, and my family can’t pay the bills. The Make A Wish Foundation, has agreed to donate 7 cents for every time this message is sent on. For those of you who send this along, I thank you so much, but for those who don’t send it, what goes around comes around. Have a Heart, please send this.

Please, if you are a kind person, send this on.

PLEASE HIT FORWARD BUTTON NOT REPLY BUTTON.

YOUR’S FAITHFULLY,

AMY BRUCE

Subject: A 7 year old cancer patient. If you delete this then shame on you!

Hi, my name is Amy Bruce. I am 7 years old, and I have a large tumor on my brain and severe lung cancer. The doctors say I will die soon if this isn’t fixed, and my family can’t pay the bills. “The Make A Wish Foundation” has agreed to donate 7 cents for every time this message is sent on. For those of you who send this along, I thank you so much. But for those who don’t send it, I will still pray for you. Please, if you are a kind person, have a heart. Please, please, PLEASE HIT THE FORWARD BUTTON

The chain letters may contain a combination of any of the above names, and the requests may be for business cards or greeting cards.The time and expense required to respond to these inquiries distracts the Foundation from its efforts on behalf of children with life-threatening medical conditions, and more importantly, divulges information that is potentially harmful to a child and his or her family.

To make a donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, please go to http://www.wish.org.

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Note: Some of the information in samples on this website may have been impersonated or spoofed.