SPORTS AND CHARITY IN HIGH HEELS: ESPN AND MAKE-A-WISH COLLABORATE
PHOENIX (July 18, 2016) – Ten years and more than 50 wishes later, Make-A-Wish and ESPN celebrate the 10th anniversary of the My Wish series on SportsCenter. The series, which started in 2006, showcases the life-changing interactions that take place when athletes grant the one true wish for children with life-threatening medical conditions.
From international icons and gold medalists to hall of famers and MVPs, the series has documented wish kids meeting some of the most distinguished athletes of all time. This summer will be no different as new, inspirational stories will be shown on SportsCenter throughout the week of July 17. In addition, to commemorate the 10th anniversary, ESPN will launch a special website, espn.com/mywish, for an in depth look at the impact the series – and the wishes – have had on the athletes, wish families and communities involved throughout the last decade.
The series kicked off on Sunday, July 17, with a special piece developed specifically for the 10th anniversary. Then, each night from July 18-21, SportsCenter will reveal a different, life-changing wish experience, culminating in a compilation feature on July 22. Athletes featured in this year’s series include: NBA champion and two-time league MVP Steph Curry, three-time NFL defensive player of the year JJ Watt, the 2015 World Cup champion U.S. Women’s National Soccer Teamand 2015 National League MVP and three-time MLB All-Star Bryce Harper.
As he has in every prior year, Emmy-award winning reporter Chris Connelly will once again lend his incredible knack for storytelling to the series as the correspondent.
“Every year, we witness how sick kids internalize the toughness and determination that professional athletes display on a nightly basis,” said Connelly. “When wish kids meet their favorite athletes and teams, they are empowered to stay strong and positive no matter what health obstacles come their way.”
“The ‘My Wish’ series gives the public a glimpse into the life-altering wish experiences that take place on average every 35 minutes somewhere in the country,” said David Williams, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish America. “We know these wishes forever change the wish kids and families involved, and they would not be possible without the generosity of donors and supporters like ESPN.”
Make-A-Wish extends its thanks to Disney and ESPN for their support of the “My Wish” series, and for their help in creating these incredible wish experiences. Beyond assisting with this year’s series, Disney – which owns ESPN – has been a steadfast friend of Make-A-Wish for 36 years and has helped the organization grant more than 100,000 Disney-related wishes, including the first official wish in 1980.
For more information about Make-A-Wish, visit wish.org.
