runDisney Celebrated Charity Spotlight: Make-A-Wish

Hey there, my name is Julia Young.  Not only am I proud to be a Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida employee, but also, I’m blessed with the opportunity to be running the runDisney® Springtime Surprise 5K to raise awareness and vital funds for an incredible mission.

And on top of that, this will be my third runDisney race that I’m running with my mom, so that makes this chance to give back all the sweeter.

While working at Make-A-Wish as a Mission Delivery Associate, I have been a part of starting the wish journey and even granting many wishes myself. I get to help educate medical professionals on what qualifies a wish kid, both in eligibility for a wish and their ability to participate in that wish. Most of the wish kids I work with want to go to Walt Disney World® so it’s so exciting to get to run for them in the middle of the place they dreamed of visiting.

Our mission at Make-A-Wish is to grant life-changing wishes to children facing critical illnesses. It’s more than fulfilling a wish, though. It's about providing an experience that instills hope, strength, and joy for these brave kids and their families. That’s why I couldn’t say “no” to a chance to get away from my desk and get in on the action of raising funds to support the wish kids I get to see impacted every day.

I really must give credit to my mom for getting me into running and giving back to the community. I’m convinced she was probably running marathons with me in the stroller, so I was her original running buddy. Because of her, I’m a massive believer in running not only for staying healthy, but also for a chance to be in nature. My mom always uses the money she earns to give back to the local church and charities, so I can say I got my love for supporting others from her too. Between the community, the mission, and my mom by my side, there’s just something about these runs that gives me a chance to push myself further than I thought was possible!

Some of my favorite family experiences have been taking trips together and exploring new places. So often when I think about why I run, I remember that every step I take is one closer to granting a wish family that experience of fun, rest, and togetherness.

All my fundraising efforts are to make an incredible difference. Make-A-Wish gives every wish kid the best experience to live out their wildest hopes and dreams amid some of the hardest challenges they will ever face.

Whether you're a runDisney athlete, a Make-A-Wish supporter, or simply someone who believes in the power of wishes, there's a place for you in this journey to create a bit of hope and possibility. Join me as we run for the children whose lives will be forever changed by the power of a wish.