I’m a pilot because of Make-A-Wish

My wish gave me hope for my future. [Make-A-Wish]( [Give Now]( [Make a difference in the lives of fellow wish kids. GIve now.]( Allow me to introduce myself: My name is Rich Martin, and I'm not only a proud wish kid alum – I'm also currently a pilot in the military. I firmly believe that I was able to get to where I am today thanks to the hope and confidence that Make-A-Wish® gave me back when I was just 15-years-old – and I'd like to share my story with you. Before I share my story, I want to tell you something. There are still too many kids waiting to have their wish granted, and I hope they get the chance, which can only happen with your help. They deserve to have a turning point to a brighter future just like I did. [So please, will you make a life-changing donation right now to create a positive moment in these children's lives?]( [Give Now]( [I wish to fly in a F-16 jet. - Rich, Wish granted, 1998.]( I was diagnosed with lymphoma when I was 15. I was in a very dark place emotionally and physically when I met Make-A-Wish. They asked me what my greatest wish would be, and I knew right then: I wanted to learn how to fly. Knowing that I would be enrolled into a flight school to get my license at the end of my treatment was a light at the end of the tunnel. It gave me something to look forward to and propelled me through cancer treatment. I closed my eyes and thought about flying, which gave me the chance to leave my reality and think about my future. I knew that this was what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. After a lot of hard work, I finally became a pilot in the military, and they said the one thing that set me apart was the fact I already knew how to fly. I have my pilot license because of Make-A-Wish. If it wasn't for them, I would not have had the inspiration to push through treatment, realize my dream of being a pilot and ultimately get the professional opportunity to do it. Make-A-Wish was so fundamental in charting my path to be a pilot. This is why it's so important for me to help give back. My wish was a tremendous, life-changing turning point for me – and with your help, it can be one for so many other kids in the same position I was in. [So please, will you join me in making a donation right now? Your gift could provide the lasting resilience, courage and confidence a child needs to fight their illness.]( [Give Now]( Thank you for reading my story. I hope it fills you with as much hope as Make-A-Wish did for me when I needed them most. Rich Martin Make-A-Wish alum [facebook]( [twitter]( [instagram]( [youtube]( Make-A-Wish Foundation of America 1702 E. Highland Avenue, Suite 400 Phoenix, Arizona 85016 For more information about Make-A-Wish America, visit [wish.org](. To help transform the lives of children with critical illnesses, please [make a donation](. Please add Make-A-WishFoundation@mail.wish.org to your address book to ensure future delivery. [Unsubscribe]( | [Manage Your Email Preferences]( | [View This Email As A Web Page]( ©2023 Make-A-Wish Foundation® of America. Make-A-Wish Foundation, Make-A-Wish and the Make-A-Wish swirl-and-star logo are marks of Make-A-Wish Foundation of America.