History
Learn why Katharine's Wish was founded.
The Heart of Healing
One Smile at a Time
Katharine's Wish is a promise kept by siblings Katie and Spencer Rhoten of Eau Claire, WI. In January of 2008, Katie was vacationing with her family at Disney World when she was rushed by ambulance to the ICU at Children's Hospital in Orlando, FL. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and mere hours from going into a coma, Katie was comforted by acts of kindness she experienced while receiving medical care. While still in the ICU, Katie and Spencer decided they would pay it forward and bring smiles to other pediatric patients.
Katharine's Wish has donated over $300,000 in new toys and grants to hospitals providing pediatric care in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico.
