|  Children's
Wish Foundation International is the only organization
authorized by the Shergold family to provide accurate
information about Craig's wish. Please only consider information
provided by Children's Wish Foundation International to
be factual as CWFI is the only wish granting organization
that has ever worked with the Shergold family.
In 1989, at the age of 9, Craig Shergold was diagnosed
with a brain tumor and was not expected to live more than
a few months.
During his hospitalization, he received
so many cards wishing him well that his physician jokingly
told him, "You might end up in the Guinness Book
of World Records if you keep this up!".
From that simple statement a dream began that would go
on to touch the lives of millions around the world.
With a renewed sense of purpose, Craig's dream for a place
in record-breaking history encouraged him to fight his
illness. Children's Wish Foundation International heard
about Craig's wish and immediately began requesting cards
be sent to Craig. The response was overwhelming and hundreds
of millions of cards began pouring into the Foundation's
headquarters from all over the world. In May of 1990,
Craig's wish was fulfilled when he received over 16 million
cards, placing him in the 1991 edition of the Guinness
Book of World Records. In 1992, his count was updated
to show over 33 million cards had been received.
Unfortunately, outside the foundation a chain letter was
started that began circulating additional requests for
cards to be sent to Craig. Despite Children's Wish's pleas
through the media to stop sending cards and to not continue
the chain letter, cards continued to pour in and Craig
became the recipient of hundreds of millions of cards.
Through the media attention of the card campaign, a philanthropist
learned of Craig's plight and contacted a surgeon in Virginia
about the possibility of funding an operation for Craig.
Having developed a close relationship with the Shergold
family throughout the card campaign, Linda Dozoretz, CWFI's
founder, accompanied the Shergold family throughout the
days of Craig's surgery and post operation recovery.
The operation was a success and today Craig is a healthy
adult who continues to be the focus of attention from
his amazing story. As for the folks at the Guinness Book
of World Records, they have forever closed the "Most
Get Well Cards" category, allowing Craig to forever
hold the cherished record that saved his life. |
