February 2005

WCA partners with Make‑A‑Wish Foundation for Children's Health Day

The World Chiropractic Alliance (WCA) has chosen the Make‑A‑Wish Foundation as the beneficiary of its bi‑annual Children's Health Day International events held around the world. It will work closely with the non‑profit organization, which grants the wishes of children with life‑threatening medical conditions, to publicize and promote the community events organized by doctors of chiropractic. All donations raised will go to local chapters of the Foundation in order to best serve the doctors' communities.

The Make‑A‑Wish Foundation was founded in 1980 after Arizona Department of Public Service officers granted the wish of a 7‑year‑old terminally ill boy who dreamed of being a police officer. After attending the funeral of Christopher James Greicius ‑‑ dubbed the "Bubby Gum Trooper" by his law enforcement buddies ‑‑ two DPS officers vowed to help fulfill the wishes of other children who might otherwise never see their dreams come true.

Building on an initial donation of just $15, the organization grew to become one of the most well‑known and respected humanitarian groups in the world, having granted more than 127,000 wishes. Some 25,000 volunteers staff chapter offices throughout the U.S. and in 22 countries on five continents. Millions of people recognize the Make‑A‑Wish Foundation name and logo and support the organization's efforts through their donations.

The WCA selected the Make‑A‑Wish Foundation because of its outstanding record of generosity and compassion, two characteristics also associated with doctors of chiropractic.

"The Children's Health Day International events will bring the chiropractic message to a huge percentage of the population, people who care about the health and wellness of their children and families," stated Terry A. Rondberg, DC, WCA President. "We wanted to make sure these events also provided significant financial support to a universally respected charitable organization whose mission was compatible with chiropractic."

The Make‑A‑Wish Foundation financial reports were reviewed in order to ascertain the proper stewardship of its donations.

The marketing value of an association with the Foundation was also a factor in the WCA's choice. Local chapters of the group will work directly with doctors on the planning, publicity and implementation of the event, lending their considerable expertise. Marketing and publicity material may contain official Make‑A‑Wish Foundation logos and the doctors can raise money for specific "wishes" for children in their community. The local appeal will help boost interest in and attendance at Children's Health Day International events.

The WCA launched the Children's Health Day International program last year as a way to disseminate information about chiropractic and other health and wellness approaches to families with children. It was the brainchild of Joel Miller, DC, chair of the WCA Council on Children's Health and an international speaker on chiropractic pediatrics. Dr. Miller was the lead instructor of the pediatric adjusting class and the associate instructor of pediatric diagnosis at Life University, and served on the post‑graduate faculty at several chiropractic colleges. He has been the team chiropractor to numerous professional, college, high school and youth athletic teams and is a black belt instructor in martial arts.

Following the simple "plan of action" developed by the WCA Council on Children's Health, DCs present community programs addressing issues such as vaccinations, back pack safety, "Say No to Drugs" programs, otitis media, ADHD, asthma, anti‑smoking campaigns, childhood obesity and ‑‑ of course ‑‑ chiropractic and subluxation correction.

The event also includes fund‑raising activities such as door‑prize raffles and ticket sales.

Doctors who register for the program (which is free for all WCA members and available for non‑members for $99 per event) receive access to online materials including a manual with specific information on how to organize, publicize and conduct the event. Sample letters, press releases, forms, invitations, etc., are included, as is a detailed time‑line checklist of tasks.

The event allows doctors of chiropractic to meet hundreds of parents in their communities, position themselves as children's wellness leaders, form alliances with other health care providers and children's advocates, win support from state and local government officials, and generate significant positive public relations.

The next Children's Health Day International event is set for Saturday, May 14, 2005. To learn more about, or to register for the program, visit www.worldchiropracticalliance.org/children.