Canadian Blue Cross plans donate $100,000 to Make-A-Wish and launches $10,000 wish trip giveaway
In honour of World Wish Day, Blue Cross will help grant even more wishes to critically ill children and their families through a $100,000 gift to Make-A-Wish Canada’s matching campaign. Over their 35+ year partnership, Blue Cross has helped make more than 30,000 travel wishes a reality through Make-A-Wish Canada, providing free, comprehensive travel insurance and assistance for over 130,000 family members. This latest donation will allow even more children to experience the magic of travel.
These travel experiences do more than create lasting memories for children and their families. They provide an escape from reality and can significantly influence a child’s emotional, physical and mental well-being throughout their treatments. According to a 2022 study by Make-A-Wish Canada, 95 per cent of wish parents surveyed said their wish improved their family’s well-being. Each wish can improve health outcomes and can signal a return to normalcy.
As part of this initiative, from April 28 to May 28, 2026, Blue Cross is offering clients who purchase a Blue Cross travel policy the chance to win a $10,000 Wish Trip Giveaway in support of Make-A-Wish Canada. Blue Cross travel insurance clients are also encouraged to donate to Make-A-Wish Canada during the campaign. In a world of increasing uncertainty, travel insurance can help Canadians travel with confidence while supporting life-changing wishes for children across Canada. Clients are eligible to enter regardless of their travel dates.
“World Wish Day commemorates the first wish granted in 1980 and the life‑changing impact wishes continue to have for children facing critical illnesses,” said Meaghan Stovel McKnight, chief executive officer (CEO), Make-A-Wish Canada. “We are deeply grateful to Blue Cross for making this World Wish Day even more meaningful with their generous contribution and support—helping ensure more children and families can experience the healing power of travel, because Wishes Are Medicine.”
Travel wishes remain at the heart of Make-A-Wish Canada’s mission, making up more than 70 per cent of all wishes granted each year. Travel, however, can be particularly challenging for children with critical illnesses and their families, as they are often denied travel insurance due to pre-existing medical conditions. Blue Cross’ support provides comprehensive, specialized travel coverage, including 24/7 assistance and access to world-class medical expertise, ensuring families can enjoy a worry-free vacation.
“Every child deserves the chance to feel the joy and wonder of travel,” said Benjamin Graham, president and CEO of Manitoba Blue Cross. “By covering the cost of travel insurance, we hope to lift some of the weight families carry during incredibly difficult times. Through our partnership with Make-A-Wish Canada, we’re honoured to help create safe, meaningful journeys that bring comfort, hope and lasting memories to children and their loved ones.”
This type of support helps children like Marc, who was born with a complex heart condition and underwent multiple procedures, including open heart surgery, in his first year of life. Now nine years old and thriving, Marc’s wish was to visit Destin, Florida, for a beach vacation with his family. During the trip, he spent his days building sandcastles, snorkelling and spotting dolphins on a boat ride, enjoying simple moments that became unforgettable memories.
“It was a celebration of resiliency and what he went through,” said his mom, Gemma. “Marc’s life is not just about the trips to emergency rooms, hospitals, clinics, special appointments or bloodwork. We believe in miracles and with the wish that came true.”
Buy a travel policy from Manitoba Blue Cross to have the chance to register to win your own $10,000 wish trip giveaway.
For more information and to enter the $10,000 Wish Trip Giveaway once your travel coverage purchase is confirmed, visit the contest page.
About Blue Cross
The Canadian Association of Blue Cross Plans (Blue Cross of Canada) represents the independent Blue Cross Member Plans and Licensees operating in all regions nationally. These include Alberta Blue Cross, Canassurance Blue Cross (Québec Blue Cross and Ontario Blue Cross), Manitoba Blue Cross, Medavie Blue Cross, Pacific Blue Cross and Saskatchewan Blue Cross. For more information, please visit bluecross.ca.
About Make-A-Wish® Canada
Make-A-Wish Canada creates life-changing wishes for children diagnosed with critical illnesses. Wishes Are Medicine — a vital part of a child’s medical journey that helps restore strength, hope and resilience. Research shows that prescribed wishes can improve adherence to treatment, reduce emergency room visits, and deliver lasting health benefits.
Make-A-Wish Canada is part of the world’s leading children’s wish-granting organization, serving children in communities across Canada and in 50 countries worldwide. Over the past 40 years, Make-A-Wish Canada has granted more than 40,000 wishes, including 1,835 last year alone.
Recognized as a Great Place to Work® for three consecutive years, the organization was also named one of the Best Workplaces™ Led by Women in 2025 and one of the Top 100 Best Workplaces™ for Giving Back in 2024. Learn more at makeawish.ca.
Manitoba Blue Cross funds warehouse space for Sleep in Heavenly Peace
The Sleep in Heavenly Peace building, sponsored by Manitoba Blue Cross, will provide ample space for bed construction, assembly and storage, streamlining the entire process and ensuring that more kids have access to a safe and comfortable place to sleep.
“A warm, safe bed should not be a luxury – it is a fundamental right. That’s why Manitoba Blue Cross is stepping up to support Sleep in Heavenly Peace for years to come,” says Benjamin Graham, president and CEO of Manitoba Blue Cross. “We are providing essential resources that Sleep in Heavenly Peace needs to expand their operations and reach more children in the community. This investment aligns with our own commitment to support the health and well-being of all Manitobans, and we are proud to play an ongoing role in ensuring no child sleeps on the floor.”
This new facility will allow SHP to:
- increase production capacity: With a large, dedicated space and the ability to build beds in the colder months, SHP volunteers can now build and assemble more than twice as many beds, reducing wait times for families in need.
- improve storage capabilities: The facility will provide secure storage for completed beds before delivery can occur while allowing for more efficient and timely delivery.
- enhance the volunteer experience: The workspace will create a more comfortable and efficient environment for volunteers – who are the backbone of SHP’s operations – to build and store beds all year long.
“This generous support from Manitoba Blue Cross is a game changer for us,” says Jim Thiessen, co-president of the local chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace. “This new space will allow us to drastically increase the number of beds we build and deliver, ensuring that more children in our community have a safe and comfortable place to sleep. We currently build approximately 400 beds a year and we hope to now increase that to 1,000. We are incredibly grateful for Manitoba Blue Cross’s continued commitment to our mission.”
Join us in helping local children find comfort: Manitoba Blue Cross holds annual bedding drive
Support this valuable cause during our annual bedding drive. Donate new, twin-sized bedding items, including comforters, pillows and sheet sets for local children. Donations can be dropped off weekdays between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. at Manitoba Blue Cross (599 Empress Street in Winnipeg) until June 20.
Online donations toward bedding purchases can be made at https://bit.ly/50beds.
“Our focus at Manitoba Blue Cross is the health and well-being of all Manitobans. We’re committed to building healthier communities – one bed and one good night’s sleep at a time,” says Benjamin Graham, president and CEO of Manitoba Blue Cross. “The outpouring of support that Manitobans showed last year did not disappoint and this generosity helped to create safe havens for local kids. I’m certain the same community spirit that Manitoba is known for will be seen again this year.”
Manitoba Blue Cross holds second annual bed build event
“The bed build event that was held in 2024 to celebrate our 50th anniversary had a profound impact on our staff and myself. Building those beds at Blue Cross Park was incredibly inspiring. We had to turn away staff who wanted to participate,” says Benjamin Graham, president and CEO of Manitoba Blue Cross. “That hands-on work really connected us to this important cause, and I believe it also helped us build stronger bonds within our team.”
Employee volunteers from the health benefits provider, along with SHP volunteers, will be constructing 50 beds for local kids on June 6, 2025 at Blue Cross Park.
To encourage the community to support this valuable cause, Manitoba Blue Cross is also holding a bedding drive once again. Donate new, twin-sized bedding items, including comforters, pillows and sheet sets for local kids. Donations can be dropped off weekdays between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. at Manitoba Blue Cross (599 Empress Street in Winnipeg) until June 20.
Online donations toward bedding purchases can be made at https://bit.ly/50beds.