Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area has granted more than 9,000 life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses in Northern California since its founding in 1984. We would like to take a moment to reflect on some of the work Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) employees have done in partnership with Make-A-Wish and how we’ve partnered with our local chapter and global affiliates to have an impact on wish kids around the world. 

“Over the last eight years, Sony Interactive Entertainment has had the distinct honor of hosting several children through Make-A-Wish to fulfill their wishes; be it visiting our headquarters in San Mateo, CA or visiting a game studio, to talking with a game developer or artist – Sony Interactive has made those wishes come true and brought moments of joy for so many across the world,” said Brad Chester, VP Channel Digital Sales, Sony Interactive Entertainment.

A Writer’s Wish Granted

Earlier this year, wish kid Camila, an aspiring writer who dreams of one day directing her own video game, had her wish granted at SIE.  It was her wish to meet Neil Druckmann of Naughty Dog, the developer of her favorite video game, The Last of Us. Camila wanted to share her love of writing complex stories and creating interesting characters. 

From the moment she stepped out of the limo at the SIE headquarters and SIE employees lined up to greet Camila and her family, Camila knew the day was going to be special.  Her excitement of her wish becoming a reality was evident as Camila beamed with delight and was immediately overwhelmed by the warmth and excitement only a true PlayStation fan can feel.

The day was filled with tours, meeting SIE leaders, receiving PlayStation and Naughty Dog merchandise and even included participating in campus activities.  After a hearty lunch at the SIE campus, Camila and her family were escorted to a meeting room where Camila was introduced to Neil Druckmann over a video call for the first time.  Camila was stunned.  After taking a moment to compose herself, something magical happened. Camila reached into her pocket to retrieve her cell phone to read a document filled with questions for Neil she had prepared should she be given the opportunity to speak with him some day.

The next 45 minutes was a moment of magic for everyone attending to see the most genuine conversation between two creative individuals, one with a dream and another with experience in producing some of the most successfully launched video games of our generation. This genuine exchange truly exemplifies why SIE believes in granting wishes and we are excited to see how this experience will inspire Camila to pursue her dream of writing stories and drawing characters perhaps for a future video game.

A Global Wish

SIE offices across the globe have also teamed up with their local Make-A-Wish affiliates to help grant wishes and raise funds. Earlier this year, SIE Italy participated in a “Wish Challenge” with Make-A-Wish to help plan and grant a child’s wish.

SIE continues to provide Make-A-Wish children and their families premium match tickets to UEFA Champions League games across Europe.

At the UCL Final in Istanbul earlier this year, SIE hosted a group of 7 Make-A-Wish families from Germany, Italy, Greece, Turkey and Switzerland, and worked with UEFA to arrange a special private trophy photo moment before the game.

We look forward to hosting more wish children and their families at the 23/24 season’s UEFA Champions League Final at Wembley in London, where they will receive PlayStation welcome gifts, have a chance to take commemorative photos with the UEFA Champions League trophy, and be special guests at the PlayStation hospitality suite on match day.

Impact and Global Outreach

These are just some of the ways we have worked with Make-A-Wish to help touch the lives of children with critical illnesses. There is always more we can do to give back and SIE will continue to support the important work that Make-A-Wish does in our local communities around the world. 

Learn more about our community engagement programs and Impact here.