Contact: Camilla Crescenzo, 808-537-3118 ext. 104
ccrescenzo@hawaii.wish.org

HONOLULU (May. 11, 2012)

We are heartbroken over the news of TeeJay’s passing. He captured the hearts of many in our community and the Make-A-Wish organization. We were glad that TeeJay got to experience his wish to visit American Samoa and meet family he had never met. And we know that his memory will continue to inspire people long into the future. We are working to get him and his family back to Hawaii as soon as possible.

The Mamea family asked that we thank the community for the love and prayers that everyone expressed for TeeJay. The family was amazed and touched by the outpouring of support by so many people and organizations. Friends, family, and strangers alike joined together to create incredible experiences for TeeJay and his family and they will be forever grateful.

TeeJay’s story has touched the heart of our community and the opportunity to be part of his ultimate wish is now.  Join us at Dave & Buster’s on May 1st at 11:30 a.m. and create a red carpet welcome for our guest of honor. Participants are asked to arrive early and line the sidewalks and stairs fronting Dave & Buster’s.  Let’s build the excitement by bringing signs, cheering, and snapping photos of our VIP as he arrives in true VIP style.

TeeJay was recently diagnosed with a neoplasm of the brain, and surrounded by his family and friends made the difficult decision to forgo treatment.  At Make-A-Wish Hawaii we believe a wish is good medicine and a source of hope, strength and joy for our wish families in the midst of their journey.  It is with great pleasure that we will present to TeeJay his wish to travel with his Mom, Dad, Brothers and Sisters to American Samoa and spend treasured time with extended family including meeting his Grandfather for the first time.

The public is encouraged to arrive early for TeeJay’s anticipated 12:00pm limousine entourage arrival at Dave & Buster’s.  Let’s show the Aloha Spirit to our guest of honor and bring new meaning to May Day as we share a lei and encouragement for this brave family.  There will be live entertainment and excitement as we anticipate his red carpet entrance.  You can help share the power of a wish®!

How?
1.    Make a sign for TeeJay and cheer him on as he arrives
2.    Bring a camera and be a paparazzi to snap pictures
3.    It’s Lei Day—Wear and bring a lei!
4.    Donate in honor of TeeJay and other Hawaii Wish Kids.

TeeJay’s wish and all of our Hawaii Wishes rely upon the generous support of our local community. Help us make more wishes come true by donating in honor of TeeJay’s wish. You can do so by visiting www.hawaii.wish.org today!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Camilla Crescenzo, 808-537-3118 ext. 104
ccrescenzo@hawaii.wish.org

Samson is a friendly 7-year-old keiki from Waianae who loves going to the park and playing with the sand at the beach during his free time. Though he loves reading the Nemo and Lion King books, his favorite Disney characters are the ones from the Cars movies. Samson’s one true wish is to go to Disney World and see all of his favorite Cars Characters with his family. His wish is about to come true during this month’s World Wish Day.

World Wish Day commemorates the Anniversary of the first wish which sparked the creation of one of the world’s leading children’s charities. World Wish Day is a global celebration designed to inspire people all over the world to share the power of a wish^®. World Wish Day takes place on Sunday, April 29 in the 48 countries that Make-A-Wish serves. World Wish Day will be filled with wish-granting celebrations at various on-the-ground events. You can Join the World on World Wish Day by making a donation, referring a child or spreading the world. There are many ways to spread the word—use Facebook and Twitter to share World Wish Day videos, photos or stories. You can also donate your Facebook status or a tweet on twitter in honor of World Wish Day. For additional information please visit www.worldwishday.org.

The very first wish belonged to 7-year-old Chris Greicius, who was being treated for leukemia and had big dreams of becoming a police officer. On April 29,1980 Phoenix, Arizona volunteers and law enforcement officials heard about Chris’ wish and wanted to help. Chris was given a ride in a patrol car and was made an honorary state patrolman, making him the only one in Arizona history. He was also presented a custom uniform, motorcycle helmet, campaign hat and motorcycle wings that he earned on his own battery-powered bike. Many people who were responsible for Chris’ wish wanted to do the same for other children with life-threatening medical conditions and founded Make-A-Wish^® in 1980.

About Make-A-Wish^® Hawaii
Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medial conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Make-A-Wish Hawaii has granted more than 800 wishes since its founding in 1982.

Make-A-Wish serves children in every community in the United States, its territories and in 47 countries on five continents. With the help of generous donors and more than 30,000 volunteers worldwide, Make-A-Wish grants a wish every 23 minutes.

Since Neil’s treatment for Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma has been completed, he and the rest of his family were excited for Neil’s Disney World Wish. They

were looking forward to being able to spend quality time together as a family and not have to worry about Neil’s medical condition.

Though Neil has been to Disney World twice before, this trip was just as, if not more magical than the others—with ice cream parlor trips in

the mornings and evenings! Neil and his family ate ice cream anytime they wanted, even at 9 p.m … making it on Neil’s list of favorite things about his trip.

Despite not making all of the height and weight requirements for the rides, Neil was determined to have an amazing time. And boy did he!

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ at Universal’s Islands of Adventure and meeting the famous superhero family, The Incredibles left a las

ting impression on Neil and his family. “Neil, his brother and their mom couldn’t stop talking about it! Even on the plane ride home!” said Neil’s dad.

Since their return home, Neil and his family have not stopped talking

about his Wish Trip. The family’s visits to the six theme parks in Disney World and their side trip to LEGOLAND boasts memories that will last a lifetime. It was so much fun that Neil can’t wait to go back to Disney World again!

These days Neil’s family is excited to give back to the program that made Neil’s one wish come true. Neil’s dad has recently signed up to be a volunteer for Make-A-Wi

sh® Hawaii, “it’s the least I can do to give back,” he said.

Samson is a happy and friendly 7-year-old boy from Waianae who loves going to the park and playing with the sand at the beach. He also loves reading the Nemo and Lion King books in his spare time. But Samson’s favorite Disney characters are the ones from the Cars movies. Today Samson leaves for his Wish Trip to Disney World and will see all of his favorite Cars characters with his family. This wish will be one that he and his family will remember for a lifetime!

Alexis is an adorable 4-year-old girl from Waipahu. Like many young girls, she absolutely loves the Disney Princesses and has watched many of the princess movies. But her favorite princess is Rapunzel from Tangled. Today Alexis leaves for Disney World to meet Rapunzel and the rest of the princesses. This Wish Trip will be one that Alexis will never forget!