
Rock Valley Physical Therapy’s staff, therapists and patients across three states recently joined forces to raise more than $70,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundations of Iowa, Illinois and Nebraska, according to a news release from RVPT.
Rock Valley hosted a ceremony last week at its Moline location on 43rd Avenue to present the money raised to Make-A-Wish. For the fundraiser, 61 clinics hosted fundraising projects, payroll dedication programs and more along with a matching gift by Rock Valley Physical Therapy’s Board of Directors to garner the funds.
In all, 11 RVPT clinics raised more than $1,000, three raised more than $2,000, and two clinics raised more than $3,000, according to the release. Its clinic in Silvis led the charge with $3,682 raised. The funds will allow RVPT to grant three wishes in Iowa, two in Illinois and two in Nebraska.

“Thank you, Rock Valley Physical Therapy, for your commitment to making wishes come true,’’ Sara Kurovski, president & CEO Make-A-Wish Iowa, said in the release.
“Make-A-Wish Iowa granted a record 198 wishes in fiscal year 2023, and we couldn’t have done it without the support of those like Rock Valley Physical Therapy. One of the amazing things about this team is they truly made each fundraiser their own,” she added. “(Each clinic) worked to make fun, creative and effective fundraisers to raise money for wishes and to make a difference in the life of a child with a critical illness.’’
Ashley White, gift officer-community programs for Make-A-Wish Illinois, also applauded Rock Valley’s effort at the ceremony. “Rock Valley Physical Therapy’s generous contribution to Make-A-Wish Illinois is inspiring in bringing more life-changing wishes to children with critical illness,’’ she said in the release.
“For children with critical illnesses, the journey to hope and strength begins with a wish and is made possible through individual, corporate and community support like that of the Rock Valley Physical Therapy,” she said.
“We are so appreciative.’’
In addition to Make-A-Wish Iowa’s 198 granted wishes this past fiscal year, Make-A-Wish Illinois also granted 729 wishes, and Make-A-Wish Nebraska granted 116 wishes. All three chapters received a record number of referrals throughout the past year, the release states. There currently are 2,030 children across Iowa, Illinois and Nebraska who are still waiting for their wishes to be granted.
A granted wish gives kids the opportunity to look outside their illness, restoring a sense of childhood back to the child and normalcy back to the family, according to the release. Research and physicians across the globe have documented that wishes can help improve a child’s quality of life and produce better health outcomes.
One Quad Cities family to have enjoyed these benefits is the Carlson family from Coal Valley. At the ceremony, Beth Carlson talked about the battle her son, Xander, waged against a brain tumor, according to the release.
Ms. Carlson talked about how the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois stepped forward and granted Xander the wish of travel, allowing the family to spend a week in Oahu, Hawaii, in 2022. Xander, who now is 18, is at Kirkwood Community College, studying nursing and in good health and spirits, she said.
“We were slowed by Covid like everyone else,’’ she said of the family’s trip. “But everything worked out and we had a chance to share a great week together. I cannot say enough about Make-A-Wish and to those who go to great lengths to so that wishes can be granted.’’
Founded in 1984, Rock Valley Physical Therapy is one of the largest therapist-led, private physical therapy practices in the country. In 2021, Rock Valley also raised more than $100,000 for Ronald McDonald houses across Iowa and Illinois.
“Leaving our communities better than we found them is why we do what we do at Rock Valley,’’ Rock Valley CEO Mike Horsfield said in the release.
“Seeing it happen one patient at a time — and now, one wish at a time — is the reward for embracing this responsibility. I’ve never been so proud to work alongside this amazing group of people.’’
For more information about Rock Valley PT, visit rockvalleypt.com.