#26 - The Hope Episode: Wishes Are Medicine

In this conversation, Gillian Stovel Rivers speaks with Meaghan Stovel McKnight, CEO of Make-A-Wish® Canada, about the profound impact of wishes on children with critical illnesses and their families. They explore the science behind hope and resilience, the role of wishes as a form of medicine, and the ripple effect that wishes have on communities and healthcare workers. Meaghan shares personal stories and insights into how wishes not only uplift children but also provide essential support to families during challenging times. The discussion emphasizes the importance of community engagement, philanthropy, and the need for a more integrated approach to healthcare that includes emotional and psychosocial support.

Click here for details about how you can get involved and support our mission through partners, as it houses our ongoing national partner campaigns.

Both Make-A-Wish and The Flourish Feed Podcast would like to make a special shoutout about Rocky Mountain Chocolates who have partnered to create a special collection of five limited-edition chocolate bars with wrappers illustrated by wish kids themselves, inspired by their imagination, joy, and dreams. 100% of proceeds from this collection will be donated to Make-A-Wish Canada to help grant life-changing wishes for children living with critical illnesses across Canada.

You can experience these very special treats by placing your own order at Make-A-Wish® Canada Chocolate Bars x Rocky Mtn Chocolate – Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory here.

Takeaways
🕊️Hope is a force that shapes how we cope with adversity.
🧬Wishes provide measurable medical impact and improve mental health.
🕊️The journey of a wish is carefully curated to complement medical treatment.
🧬Wishes uplift not just the child but the entire family and community.
🕊️The ripple effect of a wish impacts healthcare workers positively.
🧬Wishes are essential to a child's treatment journey, not just a nice-to-have.
🕊️Community support is vital for the success of Make-A-Wish.
🧬Philanthropy plays a crucial role in funding healthcare and support programs.
🕊️Emotional wellbeing is as important as physical health in treatment.
🧬Engaging with charities can provide a sense of purpose and connection.


Quotes
“Hope isn’t just an emotion - it’s a forward-moving force that shapes healing.”
“Wishes aren’t moments of joy. They’re carefully curated journeys that complement medical treatment.”
“When hope increases, cortisol decreases - and sleep, pain, and resilience improve.”
“Wishes stimulate endogenous opioids - real chemistry that reduces pain and anxiety.”
“A wish gives a child a positive future to focus on when everything else feels uncertain.”
“Hope is not a nice-to-have. It’s essential to coping, engagement, and recovery.”
“The goal isn’t just survival - it’s helping families flourish through adversity.”
“When systems are designed around hope, behavior and healing change.”

Chapters
00:00 The Power of Hope
02:14 Understanding Make-A-Wish Canada
02:52 Wishes as Medicine
06:26 The Ripple Effect of Wishes
10:32 Curating the Wish Journey
13:08 The Science of Emotional Wellbeing
17:01 Wishes Are Medicine Platform
20:52 Community Engagement and Corporate Partnerships
25:53 Lessons from Families Facing Adversity
29:09 Imagining a Better Healthcare System
33:36 The Essential Nature of Wishes

#flourish #wealth #wealthmanagement #investing #advisor #KnowThyWealthKnowThyself

Connect with Gillian:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gillian-stovel-rivers-ma-cfp%C2%AE-cea-997094124/?originalSub

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