Canada - April 18, 2012 - The Make-A-Wish Foundation® celebrates World Wish Day® on April 29, 2012, and Make-A-Wish® Canada will be joining affiliates from around the world to recognize this global day of wish granting.

World Wish Day® is organized by Make-A-Wish® to commemorate the anniversary of the wish that inspired the creation of what is now the world’s leading wish granting charity. Seven-year-old Chris Greicius’ wish to be a police officer was granted by volunteers from several law-enforcement agencies on April 29, 1980.

Chris’ legacy continues today with Make-A-Wish Canada and its eight chapters which have granted nearly 5,000 wishes to Canadian children since its inception.

“This year we will Join the WorldSM in celebrating our mission and the impact our wish experience has on wish children, families and communities around the globe,” Jennifer Ritter, CEO, Make-A-Wish Canada. “Together we can grant more wishes - continuing our efforts to make World Wish Day® a global milestone, bringing hope, strength and joy to children across the world.”

Last year’s World Wish Day® saw more than 300 wishes granted in celebration of this special day, and this year hundreds more will be granted to children in the 48 countries the Foundation serves.

World Wish Day® is being recognized in Canada from coast to coast on April 29 and throughout the month of April with wish granting, corporate partnerships, and celebratory events taking place. Visit www.makeawish.ca/worldwishday to learn what is happening in your local area.

World Wish Day® Corporate Supporters Include:

•Brooks Brothers’ locations in Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver will be collecting donations for the month of April at the register, and 10 per cent of sales on April 19 and 20 will be donated to Make-A-Wish Canada in honour of World Wish Day®. Purchase a ‘Brooksie Bear’ and $5 will go to Make-A-Wish Canada as well.

•Disney Store will be selling a Jiminy Cricket "vinylmation" character to benefit Make-A-Wish starting on April 29. $1 from the sale of each will go directly to the Foundation, up to $15,000. And, on World Wish Day®, Disney Store will be donating 5 per cent of sales to Make-A-Wish, up to $50,000.

•LS travel retail - More than 150 LS travel retail stores across dozens of Canadian and U.S. airports will be participating in World Wish Day® by encouraging travellers to make donations, from April 15 to April 30. For the occasion, LS employees will also be wearing World Wish Day® buttons.

Join the World SM on World Wish Day® by making a donation, supporting a corporate partnership program, or simply by spreading the word about Make-A-Wish. To see what is happening around the globe please visit worldwishday.org.


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