PHOENIX, Ariz. - Tuesday, April 12th 2011 [ME NewsWire]
(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Make-A-Wish Foundation® will celebrate its second annual World Wish Day® on April 29, 2011. Make-A-Wish® affiliates in 35 countries will be participating on this global day of wish granting. The day serves as a global awareness day for the Foundation and encourages individuals and communities around the world to get involved and help make a real difference in the lives of children with life-threatening medical conditions. All global activity will be aggregated on worldwishday.org.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. The Foundation is now in over 35 countries around the world and has granted over 250,000 wishes since 1980.
World Wish Day is organized by the Make-A-Wish Foundation to commemorate the anniversary of the wish that inspired the creation of what is now one of the world’s leading children’s charities. Seven-year-old Chris Greicius’ wish to be a police officer was granted in Phoenix, Arizona by volunteers from several law-enforcement agencies on April 29, 1980.
Chris’ legacy continues today with Make-A-Wish affiliates in over 35 countries across the globe. To celebrate Chris’ wish and the work of the Foundation, Make-A-Wish affiliates and chapters around the world will grant at least one wish in celebration of World Wish Day, meaning more than 100 wishes around the world will come true.
Jim Fielding, Board Chair, Make-A-Wish Foundation International and President, Disney Stores Worldwide, says, “Each year, millions of children around the world bravely battle with life-threatening medical conditions. We hope that the second World Wish Day will continue to mobilize both new and existing supporters together in this worldwide effort to bring hope, strength and joy to children with life-threatening medical conditions all around the world.”
April 29, 2010 saw more than 275 wishes granted in celebration of World Wish Day. Special activities were held in countries across the globe, including:
* Representatives from Belgium Vlaanderen, France, the Netherlands, Portugal and Turkey rang the opening bells at their national Stock Exchanges in honor of World Wish Day
* Taiwan: Celebrated the granting of their 1,000th wish
* India: Granted over 100 wishes across India
* Argentina: Balloon release celebrating 3,000 wishes granted
* Pakistan: 300 people participated in a Walk for Wishes event
* Italy: Sky Lantern Festival with over 300 community participants
You can help the Foundation bring even more joy to children by showing your support of World Wish Day and making a donation in the virtual fountain at worldwishday.org or by getting involved at worldwishday.org/facebook.
World Wish Day Corporate Supporters include: Disney Store, Hard Rock International and Ringo Starr’s Lotus Foundation, Mattel, CNN International, Blizzard Entertainment, NYSE Euronext, Brooks Brothers, Thomson Reuters, The Atlantic and Arnold Worldwide.
For more information, please visit worldwishday.org.
Notes to Editors
About World Wish Day®
On 29 April 2011 the Make-A-Wish Foundation® celebrates the second World Wish Day®. Make-A-Wish affiliates and chapters around the world will grant and publicly dedicate at least one wish in celebration of this global day of wish granting, representing a wish being granted in over 35 countries. You can help us grant even more wishes. Visit worldwishday.org and make a donation in the virtual fountain, refer a child, or spread the word to do your part in joining this worldwide effort to bring hope, strength and joy to children with life-threatening medical conditions around the world.
About Make-A-Wish Foundation®International
Make-A-Wish FoundationInternational grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. It is the largest wish-granting organization in the world and can be found in over 35 countries on five continents. Make-A-Wish Foundation International serves children outside the United States while the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of America serves children within the United States. Both organizations have granted more than 250,000 wishes around the world since 1980, giving children hope, strength and joy. For more information about Make-A-Wish Foundation International, please visit worldwish.org and discover how you can share the power of a wish®.
Contacts
Sioban Kerr
Marketing Communications Manager
skerr@worldwish.org
+1 602.230.9900
No comments:
Post a Comment