Make-A- Wish® Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana and Gen Con Partner to Grant Eleanor’s Wish to Attend Gen Con 2026

Partnership will make wish kid Eleanor's dream of attending North America's largest tabletop gaming convention a reality

INDIANAPOLIS – July 22, 2026 - Make-A-Wish® Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana (OKI) and Gen Con are partnering to grant the wish of Eleanor, a wish kid whose dream is to attend Gen Con 2026, the largest and longest-running tabletop gaming convention in North America.

For Eleanor, storytelling isn't just a hobby, it's part of who she is. She loves creating fantasy and science fiction worlds, designing characters, writing stories and graphic novels, and producing animated shorts. Her family shares that passion through board games and tabletop role-playing games, making Gen Con the perfect place for her wish to come true.

"Eleanor has always loved creating and being part of stories," said her mother, Laura. "When she learned she could make a wish, attending Gen Con felt like the perfect choice. She had the chance to visit briefly a few years ago, and seeing her eyes light up while exploring the games, costumes and creativity around her was unforgettable. We're excited to experience it together as a family and watch her discover new adventures."

Born with a critical heart condition, Eleanor has faced medical challenges throughout her life, including multiple surgeries as a young child. While those procedures helped, her journey continues, and she continues to receive ongoing medical care. Her wish gives Eleanor and her family the opportunity to focus on what she loves most - games, storytelling and spending time together while creating memories that will last a lifetime.

During Gen Con 2026, Eleanor and her family will spend four days exploring board games, role-playing games, cosplay, live-action role-playing experiences and the convention's expansive exhibit hall. In a world where so much entertainment happens through screens, Gen Con offers an opportunity to oki.wish.org unplug, gather around a table, spark imagination and build genuine human connections through play. Eleanor is especially looking forward to discovering new games, meeting fellow fans and immersing herself in a community built around creativity and storytelling.

"Every wish reflects what makes each child unique, and Eleanor's wish is a wonderful example of that," said Juli Miller, President and CEO at Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana. "We're grateful to Gen Con for helping create an experience where Eleanor can celebrate her love of storytelling while making unforgettable memories with her family."

Founded in 1967 by Dungeons & Dragons co-creator Gary Gygax, Gen Con attracts tens of thousands of attendees from around the world each year to Indianapolis. Guided by a mission to create opportunities, experiences and communities where people can share the joy of games together, the convention celebrates creativity, inclusion and connection through play.

"We're honored that Eleanor chose Gen Con for her wish," said Jackie Martin, Director of Marketing at Gen Con. "Our community is built around imagination, friendship and the joy of playing games together. We look forward to welcoming Eleanor and her family for four unforgettable days of adventure."

Research shows that wishes can help children build the emotional and physical strength needed to cope with critical illnesses. Wishes provide an opportunity for children to focus on hope, joy and possibility while creating positive memories with their families during a challenging time.

Make-A-Wish OKI grants wishes in five categories: wishes to be, wishes to have, wishes to go, wishes to meet and wishes to give. Eleanor's wish falls into the "I wish to go…" category, allowing her and her family to experience an adventure centered around the creativity, storytelling and tabletop gaming she loves most.

As Make-A-Wish OKI celebrates granting its 23,000th wish, more than 330 children across Indiana are still waiting for their own life-changing wish experience. To help grant more wishes for children with critical illnesses, visit oki.wish.org to donate, volunteer or learn more.

Gen Con 2026 takes place July 30 - Aug. 2 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, where Eleanor and thousands of fellow gaming enthusiasts will gather to celebrate imagination, creativity and community. oki.wish.org

About Make-A-Wish® Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana

Make-A-Wish® OKI creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Founded in 1983, we have granted more than 23,000 wishes, and in fiscal year 2025, made 1,052 wishes come true. Make-A-Wish is more than wish granting, it’s a global movement of transforming lives through hope, and wishes need YOU. To learn more about how you can donate, volunteer, and share our mission, visit: oki.wish.org and follow us on social media @makeawishohkyin.

About Gen Con

Gen Con is North America's largest and longest-running annual event devoted to tabletop gaming culture. The convention, which began in 1968 in Lake Geneva, WI, takes place each summer in Indianapolis, IN. During the convention, attendees shop and demo games from hundreds of exhibiting companies and choose from thousands of ticketed events representing a wide array of board games, card games, roleplaying games, seminars, entertainment events, and more.

Media Contact for Gen Con

Stacia Kirby, (206) 363-1492, [email protected]

Approved Media Photos of Gen Con 2025: https://bit.ly/gencon2025media
Gen Con Brand Resources: gencon.com/press/brand-resources