Aside from Cena, nobody has granted more than 200 wishes for the organization in its 42-year history.
Credit: Scott Roth/Invision/AP
FILE - In this Jan. 31, 2020, file photo, actor John Cena attends the Road to "Fast & Furious 9" Concert at Maurice A. Ferre Park inMiamiBeach, Fla. (Photo by Scott Roth/Invision/AP, File)
WASHINGTON — Actor and WWE star John Cena has set a new record for most wishes granted through thenon-profit organization Make-A-Wish. Cena has officially granted 650 wishes to children with critical illnesses.
The professional wrestler and actor is one of the most requested celebrities for the organization, according to the Guinness World Records website.Make-A-Wish helps fulfill wishes for children, typically between ages 2 and 18, who have been diagnosed with critical illnesses.
Aside from Cena, nobody has granted more than 200 wishes for the organization in its 42-year history. Cena, who is 45, started working with the organization in 2002, and a decade later, he granted Make-A-Wish's 1000th wish.
In 2015, Cena hit a milestone of 500 wishes granted for the organization when he visited Rocco Lanzer, a boy from Queens, New York, who had been diagnosed with leukemia.
Cena usually appears with one of his championship belts, ranging from his 13 WWE Championship to his three World Heavyweight Championship titles. Children spend the day with the Hollywood actor, take photos and sometimes can even get him behind the ring ropes, according to the Guinness World Records website.
“I want them to have an experience that will stay with them to forever,” Cena said in 2015. “I don’t ever want the children or their families to be treated in a way where they feel as if they’re up against anything at all.”
FAQs
The former wrestler-turned-actor, 45, just set a new world record for most wishes granted through the Make-A-Wish foundation, with 650 wishes granted. And he didn't just set a record—he smashed it. No other celebrity has granted more than 400 wishes in the organization's decades-long history.
Which wrestler John has fulfilled more than 650 Make-A-Wish requests? ›
John Cena sets a 'herculean' record with 650 wishes granted through Make-A-Wish Foundation. John Cena is officially the owner of a new world record. Last week, Guinness World Records announced that the 45-year-old U.S. pro-wrestler and actor set the record for the most wishes granted through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
How many wishes has John Cena granted in 2024? ›
WWE wrestler and actor John Cena set the new Guinness World Record for most wishes granted through the Make-A-Wish Foundation after granting 650 wishes.
Who has granted the most Make-A-Wish? ›
The organization operates through its 59 chapters located throughout the United States. Make-A-Wish also operates in about 50 other countries through 39 international affiliates. Professional wrestler John Cena holds the title for the most wishes granted by a single individual, at over 650 wishes.
Why did John Cena do Make-A-Wish? ›
“… The reason I love Make-A-Wish so much is because those are those families' wishes,” he said in a recent interview. Many families stay in touch with Cena, telling him about the child's last days being impacted by spending time with him. “Those are always difficult to read,” Cena said.
How many Make-A-Wish has John Cena done? ›
Cena has set a world record of at least 650 visits to Make-A-Wish children over the course of his career in WWE. Many visits have found their way into WWE programming over the years, giving the children a national spotlight and helping build Cena's reputation as one of the sports world's most giving celebrities.
Who is the never give up man in WWE? ›
The Men's Green John Cena Never Give Up T-Shirt is a powerful and inspiring piece of apparel that pays tribute to the legendary professional wrestler, John Cena. This t-shirt commemorates Cena's 20-year career in the wrestling industry and embodies his mantra of never give up in a colorful fashion.
Whose record did John Cena break? ›
Actor, wrestling legend, and West Newbury native John Cena has completed a new accomplishment: breaking the world record for most wishes granted through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
How many belts has John Cena had? ›
Cena has held the WWE Championship a record 13 times and the World Heavyweight Championship three times. He is also a five-time WWE United States Champion, a two-time WWE Tag Team Champion, a two-time World Tag Team Champion, a two-time Royal Rumble winner, and a one-time Money in the Bank winner.
Who gave $10 million dollars to make a wish? ›
Basketball legend Michael Jordan proves that it is better to give than to receive by making a record-setting donation of $10 million to Make-A-Wish America in honor of his 60th birthday on Feb.
And he didn't just set a record—he smashed it. No other celebrity has granted more than 400 wishes in the organization's decades-long history. John Cena has set a new record for most wishes granted through the Make A Wish Foundation.
What age does Make-A-Wish stop? ›
Make-A-Wish grants wishes to individuals who meet two preliminary criteria: (1) children who have reached the age of 3 and are under the age of 18, and (2) who have been diagnosed with a critical illness, i.e., a progressive, degenerative, or malignant medical condition that has placed the child's life in jeopardy.
Why did John Cena quit? ›
It's not for a lack of passion for wrestling or having a greater interest in acting, Cena clarifies: “I think it's just the demand of age.” “You know, I'm trying to figure out when to close that chapter,” Cena says about his pro wrestling career, which first began back in 1998.
Why did John Cena salute? ›
However, for the 10-time WWE Champion, there is also a much deeper meaning behind his gestures. “Every night when I do that salute, it's also a sign of respect to the men and women that don the uniform of the Armed Forces,” he declared.
What wrestler has done the most to Make-A-Wish? ›
Cena officially holds the title for granting the most Make-A-Wish wishes with 650 since 2002.
How many wishes has Hulk Hogan granted? ›
Hulk Hogan has personally donated much of his time to this cause granting well over 200 wishes and was easily the most requested celebrity of the 1980s.
