John Cena Holds World Record For Granting The Most 'Make-A-Wish' Wishes

"PeaceMaker" star John Cena currently holds the world's highest number of Make-A-Wish wishes granted. The actor joined the foundation at the start of the 2000s, and by 2012, he had granted his 300th wish, which was Make-A-Wish's overall 1000th wish.

Due to him being one of the most famous people in the world, Cena is reportedly the most asked-for celebrity in the foundation. No celebrity has granted up to 200 wishes in Make-A-Wish, while the DC star just passed his 650th mark.

In a previous interview, the wrestler revealed that he enjoyed being a part of the foundation and, when needed, went out of his way to be present for the children who requested him. Cena also said he wanted the children to have a lasting experience and not feel like they were up against something monumental.

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Cena recently beat his own world record of 500 Make-A-Wishes wishes with 650 requests granted. The wrestler reached the previous score in 2015; however, he smashed it with over 150 wishes which are around 21 wishes or so granted to children every year. The 45-year-old is also the only celebrity ever to reach that number.

After reaching and crossing his 500th mark, Cena told ESPN about his involvement in the foundation and how he enjoyed being involved. The wrestler revealed that when he was needed, he usually dropped whatever he was doing to "do his part." The actor said, "I just drop everything. If I can offer a fantastic experience, I'll be first in line to do my part."

Make-A-Wish revealed that the 45-year-old was the most requested celebrity by children. No other person is even close to Cena's current record in the foundation, which was made after decades of wish granting. Wishes Cena granted include things like wrestling tickets, championship belts, and high-fives.

Cena started granting wishes to the foundation in 2004, just two years after joining WWE as a professional wrestler. Due to his popularity as the 16-time world champion, several children requested the 45-year-old to grant their wishes.

According to Make-A-Wish's mission statement, the organization was founded to grant "life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses." The statement continued, "Wishes are more than just a nice thing. And they are far more than gifts or singular events in time. Just the act of making their wish come true can give them the courage to comply with their medical treatments."

While talking to The Hollywood Reporter, the "Peacemaker" star revealed that his dedication to granting the wishes of children was to give them a lasting experience. He said, "I want them to have an experience that will stay with them forever. 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."

In January, Cena joined Drew Barrymore on her talk show, "The Drew Barrymore Show," where he shed light on the kind of wishes he received and how he was flattered by them. The wrestler said, "Make-A-Wish's list is enormous, and they literally will do anything you want. 'I want to kick it with John Cena and see him wrestle.' That is the coolest thing I have ever heard in my life."

Cena continued, "It means a lot of things. 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."

The "Fast And Furious 9" star went on to talk about his family life and how being a father was not in the cards for him at the moment. When told by Barrymore that he would be "kind of the world's greatest father," Cena revealed that he was currently occupied with trying to be the best husband to Shay Shariatzadeh, his wife.

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Cena's involvement in the Make-A-Wish foundation is in line with the tradition of WWE. Over the past years, around 6,000 wishes to talk to superstars in the organization were granted, and requests to attend live wrestling shows.

The first person in the organization to start the tradition was Hulk Hogan in the early 1980s, as the wrestler was the most requested at the time. The number of wrestlers who granted wishes multiplied after then, numbering over a hundred. The chief brand officer of WWE, Stephanie McMahon, also notably gave the foundation a $1 million commitment in 2015.

According to reports, several families Cena reached out to by granting their child's wishes still kept in touch with the actor. They also revealed that the 45-year-old's time with the child helped improve their attitude and physical condition.