The Healing Power of a Wish: Dr. Jen Pratt on Hope, Childhood Cancer, and the Make-A-Wish Impact

What if one wish could change the course of a child’s recovery?

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Dr. Jen Pratt, a pediatrician, childhood cancer survivor, and Make-A-Wish recipient turned advocate. At just 11 years old, Jen was diagnosed with bone cancer—a life-changing moment that launched her into a world of hospitals, chemo, and uncertainty. But her journey also included something magical: a wish.

Jen shares her deeply personal story of receiving a wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation and how that experience not only helped her cope during treatment but also inspired her path into medicine. Now, working at the very hospital where she was once treated, Jen sees firsthand how a single wish can uplift not just a child, but an entire family.

We dive into:

• Jen’s cancer diagnosis and the emotional toll it took on her and her family

• Her unforgettable wish to meet Disney animators—and why it mattered so much

• The Wish Impact Study and the real data showing how hope affects healing

• The misconception that wishes are just for terminally ill kids (they're not!)

• How Make-A-Wish brings light to dark moments—and why it’s more than just a “nice thing”

• Heartwarming stories from the hospital frontlines

• The powerful role of mental health in medical recovery

Whether you're a parent, caregiver, or simply someone who believes in the magic of kindness, this episode is a reminder that hope truly heals.

🔗 Resources & Links:

• Learn more about the Make-A-Wish Foundation: https://wish.org

• Discover the Wish Impact Study: https://wish.org/wishimpact

• Interested in referring a child or volunteering? Visit https://wish.org/refer

👤 Guest Bio:

Dr. Jen Pratt is a pediatric hospitalist at Children’s Minnesota and a medical advisor for Make-A-Wish Minnesota. A former wish kid herself, Dr. Pratt brings a unique and heartfelt perspective to her work—bridging her personal experience with professional compassion.

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