The Golden Fish grants wishes to seriously ill children aged 5 to 18 years (up to 19th birthday). Each wish is unique, as is the child who makes the wish. We believe that joy and the possibility to be listened to and to make a decision play an irreplaceable role in care given to children.
During the 10 years since its founding, the Golden Fish has granted hundreds of wishes. Children have met their idols, discovered new places, and received what they long hoped for. Thanks to the generous support of our donors and supporters, we grant a wish every 42 hours. Each and every one of them has the potential to bring about a momentous change.
Who Is the Golden Fish For
The Golden Fish grants wishes to children who are suffering from or who have overcome a serious illness. Likewise, children whose treatment has been completed are eligible to ask the Golden Fish to make their dream come true, provided that the treatment ended less than a year before applying. Inclusion in the programme is confirmed by the attending physician based on health criteria.
Every eligible child may express one wish to the Golden Fish. The wish is discussed during a personal meeting held in a setting where the child feels comfortable. We listen with understanding, without being judgmental. Our cooperation with the family is based on trust, empathy, and respect for their privacy. Granting a wish is not conditional on publishing the child's story and photograph.
How wishes are granted
Our goal is to bring joy to children at every stage of the process of granting their wish.
1.
Granting a wish always begins by submitting an application. The Golden Fish team will contact the family no later than five working days after its receipt. The request for wish fulfilment is approved based on confirmation of the child's life-limiting or life-threatening diagnosis by the attending physician. Like this, the little or not-so-little patient becomes a dreamer.
2.
During a personal meeting, we talk with the dreamer about what he or she wishes for. In a quiet setting where the child feels comfortable, together we look for the wish that matters the most to him or her at the given time. The wish is afterward formulated by the dreamer in the Golden Document. And the Golden Fish begins to work on making the wish come true.
3.
Subsequently, the Golden Fish takes some time to organize everything necessary for the flawless delivery of the dreamer's biggest wish. The dreamer will learn soon whether it can be done and how. How? That will remain a top secret for now!
Testimonials
Once the wish has been granted, we ask the family about their experience. We want to know their opinion about the process and the impact the granted wish had on their child and the life of the entire family.
"Dear Golden Fish, thank you for allowing me to become a dreamer. That something positive came out of my illness. Thank you for what you do, thank you for all the meetings, thank you for all the people who work to make wishes come true and that mine came true. Thank you for the pile of happy experiences that, thanks to you, I will always carry in my heart and think about when things get worse again. Thank you for making me believe that dreaming can change reality for the better. Thank you."
Adélka
Dreamer
"The Golden Fish project is wonderful. The time when their wish is being granted is extremely important for children with such a difficult fate. The planning and making their wish come true keeps their mind busy, as they look forward to it, and then enjoy moments that help them forget their hardship. I can only recommend the Golden Fish to other dreamers and their families. I know that they’ll be in the best of hands."
Jitka A.
Mom
"Do you even know what you're doing? Do you know what a dose of adrenaline and endorphins that boy got thanks to you? We couldn't have gotten that much into him with an IV."
MUDr. Pavel Timr
Doctor
"First of all, I would highlight the respect for the privacy of the dreamer and his family. What is overwhelming, however, is the human factor. In addition to the highly professional approach of the entire Golden Fish team, coupled with the focus on the highest quality of the fulfilled wish, I must more than appreciate the character and motivation of all the admirably good people involved in the whole project."
Roman K.
Dad
"Because our daughter's wish (holidays together) could only be granted after the completion of her treatment, the waiting had a wonderful effect on all of us in that we were so much more looking forward to the time when she recovers and her wish can come true. Our caravan trip was full of fantastic adventures that our daughter and all of us will remember forever."
Beáta
Mom
People behind the Golden Fish
The Golden Fish team comprises individuals dedicated to granting children's wishes with care, empathy, and experience. If you have any questions or wish to discuss any issue, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Golden Fish's Founders
Golden Fish was founded in 2015 by Katarína Vlčková and Ondřej Vlček to bring joy to seriously ill children by granting their wishes. From the beginning, they have also supported Zlatá rybka as its primary donors.
“Even though it was initially us who wanted to bring joy to ill children by giving them something, it now feels like the joy is all ours thanks to the waves after waves of positive energy that flows into the Golden Fish thanks to all the donations we receive. All that produces powerful magic with a strong therapeutic effect. It might not cure wounds on the body, but it enriches the soul. That goes for ill children and all of us around them.”
Vlčkovi
Golden Fish's Founders
FAQ
Golden Fish Yearbooks
Current Events at the Golden Fish
Take a look at what the Golden Fish team is currently working on.