The actor set a “herculean” record by granting 650 wishes through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, hundreds more than anyone else.
John Lamparski/Getty ImagesJohn Cena and actress Hailee Steinfeld with Make-A-Wish Foundation children at the Empire State building in 2018.
According to Guinness, Cena is the most requested celebrity among Make-A-Wish children. He granted his first wish in 2002 and marked Make-A-Wish’s 1000th wish in 2012 by granting a wish to a fan named Cardon. Three years later, per NPR, Cena granted his 500th wish.
Nick Doan/WireImageJohn Cena embraces Make-A-Wish foundation special guest Max in 2008.
Cena added: “It means, one, something I am passionate about affects people. It means two, I can be a vehicle to help make a wish come true. And it means three, when we engage, when the wish actually happens, it is something that someone wants and we are the finish line.”
Laura Cavanaugh/WireImageJohn Cena with children from the Make-A-Wish Foundation celebrating his 500th wish in 2015.
At the end of the day, Cena’s goal is to bring joy to Make-A-Wish kids and their families. Having fulfilled 650 wishes since he started working with the foundation in 2002, it doesn’t seem that the actor has any plans to stop meeting children and granting any wishes they have.
“I can’t say enough how cool it is to see the kids so happy, and their families so happy,” Cena said in 2015, after fulfilling his 500th wish, according to NPR. “I truly want to show them that it’s their day.”