DisneyHand continues 'Season of Compassion' with special 'Extreme
Makeover' episode
DisneyHand, worldwide outreach for The Walt Disney Company, continued
its "Season of Compassion" with its annual delivery of DisneyHand
Compassion Kits to every children's hospital and pediatric wing in the
country. This year, however, DisneyHand was able to touch the lives
of more children than ever before with help from ABC's "Extreme
Makeover: Home Edition" and "The Tony Danza Show."
Eight-year-old Kassandra Okvath has battled cancer for nearly two years.
In the video she sent to "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,"
Kassandra's selfless request on behalf of the children struggling with
illness at University Medical Center in Tuscon, Arizona, where she received
two bone marrow transplants, was for the walls of the hospital to be
painted because "Sometimes that's the last things they see."
DisneyHand granted Kassandra's wish, making the hospital transformation
possible by bringing together a generous donation of goods and creative
services by Disney Consumer Products, Disney Imagineers and the work
of other talented Disney Cast Members. More than 50 Disney VoluntEARS,
employees who donate their time to make a positive difference in communities
around the world, worked day and night to meet the five-day deadline
for the hospital makeover.
The collective efforts resulted in six of the patient rooms in the
Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) ward, as well as two playrooms, being transformed
into warm, welcoming themed environments featuring beloved Disney characters
as well as movies, video games, toys, Disney TV and DVD players and
Disney Dream Desk PCs. The hospital transformation, and more surprises,
will be shown in two back-to-back episodes on Sunday, March 13 (7:00-8:00
and 8:00-9:00 p.m., ET/PT), on the ABC Television Network.
In addition to working with Extreme Makeover Home Edition, DisneyHand's
"Season of Compassion" received support from "The Tony
Danza Show." Tony, along with Disney VoluntEARS, helped to raise
awareness of Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation by kicking off
a special hospital delivery on air. "Celebrity Extravadanza"
segments featuring superstar Barry Manilow, comedian Rosie O'Donnell
and New York Yankee Manager Joe Torre raised $50,000 for Starlight Starbright
that week.
Also, in cooperation with Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation(R),
DisneyHand made its annual donation of a "Compassion Care Kit"
to every children's hospital or pediatric wing in the country with 25
or more beds. Each of the DisneyHand Compassion Kits feature Mickey
Mouse plush for every child in the hospital, as well as books, movies,
video games, music and board games. Each has enough merchandise to fully
stock a hospital room, waiting room, children's play room or other appropriate
venue.
To coincide with the deliveries, special parties were held in many
cities, some featured Disney character visits provided by Disney On
Ice while some featured a Radio Disney appearance. Disney VoluntEARS
were also on hand with special activities and fun prizes.
As the cornerstone of DisneyHand's outreach initiatives, Compassion
programs encompass all projects that not only touch the lives of children,
but also touch the heart. In addition to Starlight Starbright Children's
Foundation, DisneyHand works with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America(R)
and is the world's largest provider of wishes for children with life-threatening
illnesses. DisneyHand's Compassion outreach also includes significant
support for Give Kids the World, Toys for Tots, Boys & Girls Clubs,
the American Red Cross and First Book.
About DisneyHand
DisneyHand, worldwide outreach for The Walt Disney Company, is dedicated
to making the dreams of families and children a reality through public
service initiatives, community outreach and volunteerism in the areas
of compassion, learning, the arts and the environment. In 2004, DisneyHand
contributed more than $165 million in cash, in-kind support and public
service airtime globally, while Disney VoluntEARS contributed more than
461,000 hours to 1,852 outreach projects. For more information, visit
www.disneyhand.com.
