Media Advisory - HMCS Halifax's Run for the Wish Across the Province - June 2nd - 8th 2012

DARTMOUTH, NS, May 25, 2012 /CNW/ - In keeping with the Canadian Navy's proud tradition of helping children in need, 12 members of Halifax's ships' company will run across the province from Yarmouth to Sydney to raise money for The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada, Nova Scotia Chapter. This year's run will take place from June 2^nd to 8^th. The team will kick off the run in Yarmouth, NS on June 2^nd and be making various stops in Nova Scotia communities during the week. The finale will be in Sydney, NS on June 8^th.

Each year a wish child is selected to be honoured who has received a most heartfelt wish. This adds a special significance and connection to the run. This year's run will raise funds to grant wishes to children like 4-year-old Mya who suffers from acute lymphoblastic leukemia. (See her story below)

Last year's run raised over $17,000 to grant wishes for children suffering from life threatening illnesses, and over the past 8 years, they have raised more than $100,000 for this worthwhile cause.

Media are invited to join us at the following locations.  Interviews with the team can also be arranged via the media contacts listed below.

Team Schedule

June 2, 8:30 am - (Yarmouth) Kick Off at Yarmouth Legion located Parade Street
June 2, 6:00 pm - (Digby) Supper at the Digby Legion
June 3, 6:00 pm - (Kingston/Greenwood) Supper at the Kingston Legion
June 4, 9:00 am - (Windsor) Falmouth Elementary School run with the students
June 4, 12:00 pm - (Wolfville) Wolfville Firehall
June 4, 4:30 pm - (Sackville) Supper at the Sackville Legion
June 5, 6:00 pm - (Truro) Supper at the Truro Legion
June 7, 8:30 am - (Antigonish) Saint Andrew Junior School run with students
June 8, 8:10 am - (Whycocomagh) Whycocomagh Education Centre assembly with students
June 8, 4:00 pm - (Sydney) Finale with wish child (Mya) Cape Breton Regional Municipality Building

Mya's Story

The sight of a grand cruise ship entering the Sydney Harbour can be a norm to city residents. To some, it symbolizes the start of tourism season, but to Mya it means much more. To her, the sight of a grand cruise ship symbolizes a glorious adventure.

Mya is a fearless four year old who loves to spend time with her family reading stories and going for walks. She lives in Sydney, Cape Breton and one of her favourite things to do with her family is to go down to the docks and watch the big cruise ships come in. She has always dreamed of what it would be like to sail on one.

The Children's Wish Foundation is about to help Mya's dream come true, by granting her heartfelt wish to go on a Disney Cruise.

Her mother, Nicole, is excited for her, "It is a great way to experience something positive and create a happy ending to all the treatments Mya had to go through at such a young age. She deserves it."

Mya's courageous journey started in 2009 when her family noticed that she was fatigued and had trouble walking. Nicole took Mya to the hospital where doctors conducted blood work. Within hours, she was diagnosed with ALL (Acute lymphoblastic leukemia). "It was the worst day of our family's life," Nicole says.

After two years of intense treatments, Mya will finally be finished her last day of chemo on April 27. Nicole says, "That day cannot come fast enough and what keeps Mya's spirits high, is her knowing her dream is about to come true." At the end of April, Mya and her family will be going to Orlando, Florida to depart on a Disney Cruise. Mya is most looking forward to going swimming and playing on the big ship.

The Children's Wish Foundation thinks Mya's story is one the crew of HMCS Halifax can connect with, since they know all to well about sailing on a 'big ship' and the adventures that experience can bring. Please help them with their efforts to help grant wishes for special children such as Mya who are diagnosed with high risk, life-threatening illnesses.

Without assistance from people like the crew of HMCS Halifax - we would not be able to fulfill wishes like hers through our mission. Thank you for your generosity.

The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada

Each year, thousands of Canadian children between the ages of three and 17 are diagnosed with a life threatening illness.  Since 1984, The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada has worked tirelessly to grant exceptional wishes to 18,000 children and their families.

This year, the Foundation expects to grant over 1,000 new wishes and is proud to have never refused a wish to an eligible child, and with the help of volunteers and generous donors, is able to grant nearly three wishes every day.  Each wish is an individual adventure, carefully structured to meet the needs of a particular child and family. The Foundation is a national charity with chapters in every province and territory. Visit www.childrenswish.ca for more information.

For media inquiries or to request interviews, please contact:

Tanya Wiltshire
Fundraising Coordinator
The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada, Nova Scotia Chapter
o: [phone] c: (902) 220- 6991
[email protected]

Petty Officer 1^st Class Robert Patenaude
HMCS Halifax Run for the Wish Coordinator
o: [phone] c: [phone]
[email protected]