North Sunflower is Making Dreams Come True

North Sunflower Medical Foundation has taken a big step toward making dreams come true. Last month, North Sunflower Medical Center became a proud sponsor of the Make-A-Wish Foundation‘s 2023 Delta Evening of Wishes dinner in Greenville.

The hospital’s partnership with Make-A-Wish reflects its commitment to providing exceptional health care and making a positive impact on the community by contributing to the well-being of children facing critical illnesses.

Ashley Williams, an infection control nurse here at NSMC, has been a champion of Make-A-Wish since her son Nolan had his wish granted in 2017.

Nolan had five open heart surgeries before he was three. Before his last surgery, his nurse referred him to Make-A-Wish,” Ashley told us. “We went to Disney World. It was so much fun. He was only four at the time, and I was worried he wouldn’t remember it. He is ten now, and it’s still a special memory for our family.”

Make-A-Wish is a renowned non-profit organization that grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions. Established in 1980, the foundation has fulfilled many children’s dreams, creating lasting memories for them and their families.

According to a 2022 study, many Make-A-Wish alumni, parents, and medical providers overwhelmingly agree that the wish experience contributes substantially to physical, mental, and emotional health. Parents of Make-a-Wish families report that their experience with the foundation increased hope, strength, joy, confidence, self-esteem, quality of life, and well-being. Make-A-Wish serves as a coping mechanism that helps relieve the traumatic stress of the family. Further, parents report that Make-A-Wish gave their children a stronger sense of empowerment and was a turning point in a patient’s treatment.

That was certainly the case with Ashley when Nolan was fighting heart disease. “Getting away from it all and coming back makes everything feel easier. You get a dose of something wonderful, and that makes things easier,” Ashley said. “In the times before our wish is granted, you are living from appointment to appointment and dreading what you are going to learn at your next visit. It gives you something to look forward to, and that can also be very impactful.”

After Nolan had his wish granted, Ashley got involved in helping the organization locally.

I spoke on behalf of Make-A-Wish and worked to help them raise money here in the Delta,” Ashley told us. “At the first event, we had over 20 North Sunflower people there to support the event. And it has continued every year since my son’s wish was granted. North Sunflower Medical Foundation is always very supportive of hospital employees and what they are going through. And they really go all out to help support the community.”