An Indiana-based organization with the goal of helping put smiles on the faces of kids battling cancer has been nominated for a “Do Good” segment on the talk show “The Real,” airing today.

Max Olson was diagnosed with Wilm’s Tumor, a rare kidney cancer, in December 2007

Liz Niemiec, currently a junior at Butler University, started the Little Wish Foundation in honor of Max Olson, who was just seven years old when he died after a two year battle with cancer. Max, the son of one of Niemiec’s teachers, really wanted a puppy before he died. When he got one, the smile on his face really moved Niemiec.

“You should have seen how excited he was with this dog. It really made a difference,” said Niemiec. “Little things matter. Once you see that smile on their face, once you see just how much it means to someone you can’t really stop.”

On the way home from Max’s funeral, she told her mom she wanted to start a foundation to grant wishes for other children battling cancer. She felt it would help them forget what they were facing, if only for a short time.

So far, Little Wish has granted 300 wishes to kids in six hospitals, five in Indiana and one in Chicago. The wishes typically cost between $300 and $800. Niemiec’s goal is to take the foundation nationwide.

She believes Max approves of the work she’s doing with Little Wish, the call from the producers of “The Real” came on Max’s birthday. And the show is airing on St. Patrick’s day, the day he passed away.

“It definitely makes you feel like, wow, Max really appreciates and loves what we are doing so it’s good,” said Niemiec.

To learn more about the Little Wish Foundation, visit www.littlewishfoundation.org.

Sources: WISH TV & Little Wish Foundation