BAY LAKE, Florida. – Walt Disney World celebrated World Wish Day on Friday alongside partner Make-A-Wish.

The Make-A-Wish organization helps make the life-changing wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses come true. Since the organization’s inception in 1980, Make-A-Wish has grown to become the world’s leading children’s wish-granting organization, serving children in every community in the United States and in nearly 50 countries across the world.

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Walt Disney World has a longstanding relationship with Make-a-Wish, partnering with them for more than four decades. Through this partnership, the two organizations have helped make more than 145,000 Disney-inspired wishes come true together.

In March, Disney helped make some Star Wars fan dreams come true. A number of families were among the first to board the all-new Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser.

Ahead of Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary celebration, the resort worked hard to help support the nonprofit organization.

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Disney has sold a special collection of “Wishes Come True Blue” merchandise to benefit Make-A-Wish.

Florida drivers could also help the cause by purchasing a special new 50th anniversary license plate. Every license plate sold contributed a portion of the money to Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida. Disney said sales recently topped half a million dollars.

“I am blown away by the amount the Disney team has helped us raise to help fund future wish-granting efforts,” said Anne Cuba, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida. “Wishes often play a key role in helping children build the strength to fight and overcome their serious illness, and that support means the world to our Wishing Kids and to my team.”

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As part of World Wish Day, Disney last week selected two of its cast members — who are former wish recipients — to be grand marshals ahead of the “Festival of Fantasy Parade” at the Magic Kingdom.

The two cast members rode the parade route in the Grand Marshal’s vehicle, which also sported a special Disney license plate on the front and back.

Click here donate to Make-A-Wish.

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