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| For Immediate Release |
ESPN PR
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| June 4, 2007 | 860-766-2000
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ESPN SportsCenter “My Wish” Series Returns – June 24-29
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Each wish will then be the subject of one SportsCenter feature segment. The SportsCenter segment will feature the reason for the wish, interviews with the kids and their families, and a behind-the-scenes look at the wish fulfilled, including the interaction between the youngster and the athlete. The five “My Wish” episodes will feature 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, all-pro quarterback Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints, a past NBA Finals most valuable player, a popular World Series slugger and an athlete TBD. Emmy Award-winning reporter Chris Connelly will again host. |
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(ed note: to keep the wish a secret to be revealed when it is being granted, the other four participating athletes will be announced at a later date)
There was an overwhelming response to last year’s series and there are more compelling stories to tell,” Lazarus said. “Each ‘My Wish’ story captures the bond athletes share with their fans and the impact granting a sports wish can have on a young person facing severe life challenges.”
Said Williams: “The outpouring of support – phone calls, emails and letters – we received from viewers of last year’s ‘My Wish’ series who were moved by the children’s stories was amazing. ESPN conveyed the strength of these courageous children in the face of serious medical conditions. We look forward again to seeing the joy that a wish creates for everyone involved, from the wish child to the well-known athletes who volunteer their time to grant these wishes.” Several ESPN multimedia platforms such as ESPN.com, ESPN The Magazine, and ESPN360.com will offer additional and complementary content related to the five wish-granting experiences. “My Wish” first aired in 2006 (July 9 – July 23). The critically acclaimed series offered an unprecedented, behind-the-scenes look at the wish-granting experience and featured the wish children participating in sports-related activities with their favorite athletes or teams such as Yankees captain Derek Jeter, Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant and New England Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi.(insert link to 2006 series video). This year’s segments, much like in 2006, will be produced by SportsCenter’s award-winning Features Unit, which has been recognized with five Emmy Awards and five Edward R. Murrow Awards in its five years of existence. The series reflects SportsCenter’s ongoing desire to meet and interact with its fans. In September 2004, the ESPN signature sports news program originated live for one week from Camp Arifjan Army base in Kuwait. In 2005, in its most ambitious initiative to date, SportsCenter took to the road, reporting segments from a combination of mainstream and unique sports events in all U.S. 50 states in 50 days. |
Sample clips from the
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Make-A-Wish Foundation
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. Born in 1980 when a group of caring individuals helped a young boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer, the Foundation is now the largest wish-granting charity in the world, with 69 chapters in the U.S. and its territories. With the help of generous donors and nearly 25,000 volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation grants more than 12,600 wishes a year and has granted more than 148,000 wishes in the U.S. since inception. For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit www.wish.org and discover how you can share the power of a wishâ.
About Team ESPN
Team ESPN encompasses ESPN’s multi-faceted corporate outreach initiatives, including volunteerism, corporate giving and cause marketing, while utilizing its diverse media assets. Through Team ESPN, ESPN, its employees and its fans work together to make a difference. Team ESPN… Fans Helping Fans.
www.teamespn.com
About Disney’s Outreach
Disney brightens the lives of children in need around the world through global outreach programs, local community initiatives and the Disney VoluntEARS program. Last year, Disney donated more than $170 million in cash and in-kind support to various charities around the world. Disney VoluntEARS contributed more than 485,000 hours of service and the company drew upon its unique magic to make wishes come true for children and families. The Disney VoluntEARS program provides opportunities for Disney employees to contribute their time and expertise towards making a positive impact in the communities they serve while furthering the traditions and ideals of The Walt Disney Company. For more information on Disney’s outreach efforts, please visit www.disneyhand.com
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