About Anna’s Wish

Helping children battling cancer and their families find moments of joy during some of the most difficult times of their lives

Why Anna’s Wish Exists

Anna McKinney is the daughter of Jeff & Jessie McKinney and Molly McKinney’s big sister. Ever since she was a toddler, Anna loved giving presents to people. She got so excited watching her friends and family open gifts because it made them happy.

Anna also talked about wanting to help other children who were fighting cancer. Anna’s Wish was created to carry that spirit forward, helping children battling cancer and their families experience joy during times that can otherwise be filled with fear, stress, and uncertainty.

How We Help

When a child has cancer, the impact reaches far beyond medical treatment. Families may face medical expenses, the cost of food and supplies during long hospital stays, and lost income when parents need to miss work or leave their jobs to care for their child.

Anna’s Wish helps take away some of those worries by providing gifts, experiences, and other meaningful support that allow children and families to enjoy time together and, even if only for a little while, focus on something other than cancer.

Holiday Assistance – Each holiday season, Anna’s Wish works with hospitals and partner organizations to identify families who could use some extra help. We obtain their wish lists, shop for their gifts, and wrap everything for the families.

Special Wishes – We help fulfill meaningful requests for children in treatment, including electronics, wigs, tickets, celebrations, and other items that can make everyday life a little easier or simply bring some happiness.

Family Experiences – Movie tickets, museum passes, outings, and other experiences give families an opportunity to spend time together and create happy memories away from hospitals and treatment.

Special Assistance – Every family’s situation is different. When other needs arise, Anna’s Wish works with hospitals and partner organizations to provide support whenever we can.

Our Impact

Since 2010, Anna’s Wish has continued to grow because of the generosity of people who believe in Anna’s mission.

900+ children helped
8,000+ gifts provided
More than $315,000 in support

Those numbers represent far more than gifts or dollars. They represent children who were able to smile during treatment, parents who had one less thing to worry about, and families who were able to experience moments of happiness during an incredibly difficult time.

How It Works

Families are identified through hospitals and partner organizations throughout Western and Central New York. We work directly with those organizations to understand what families need and provide gifts, experiences, and support they may not otherwise be able to obtain.

Our largest program continues to be our annual holiday shopping and wrapping effort. Each year, we receive wish lists from families, shop for their gifts, organize everything, and wrap it all so parents can focus on their children and their families.

Anna loved giving and loved seeing other people happy. Preserving that part of who she was remains at the heart of everything Anna’s Wish does.

Where Your Donation Goes

100% of every donation directly supports the children and families we serve.

Administrative expenses such as postage, printing, website costs, and other operating expenses are personally covered by Anna’s family. Donations to Anna’s Wish are used to provide gifts, experiences, and assistance for children battling cancer and their families.

A Registered Nonprofit

Anna’s Wish, Inc. is a federally and New York State recognized 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has helped Anna’s Wish continue to grow and reach more families each year. Every gift helps us honor Anna by continuing something that came naturally to her: making other people happy.

Thank You

Thank you for supporting Anna’s Wish and for helping us honor our wonderful and gracious daughter.

Jeff McKinney
President & Founder
Anna’s Wish, Inc.