Media Invitation & Photo Opportunity - Teams going ashore the Island of Wish Granting to create the magic of a wish for nine local children

EDMONTON, Jan. 28, 2015 /CNW/ - Join us Friday, January 30, 2015 for Edmonton's most adventurous and most heartwarming corporate challenge event of the year!

Exile Island, in support of The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada, is back for its 5^th year of fierce, yet friendly competition, as rival teams from businesses and the community all compete in the name of granting wishes to local children coping with life threatening illnesses. 

Leading up to event day, teams are challenged to each raise $10,000 – the average cost of one wish, then all are shipwrecked on Exile Island (AKA West Edmonton Mall), for a day of mental and physical challenges.  Join us for this Survivor inspired event, as West Edmonton Mall is transformed into a pirate's playground and teams compete in challenges throughout the mall.  Most importantly, on event day, each team will meet the wish child whose wish they are helping to grant.  The wish children will be hands-on-deck, cheering their teams on throughout the day. 

Twelve-yea-old Kaia, has faced medical challenges since birth.  She underwent her first of two open-heart surgeries when she was only five weeks old.  Then, at the age of two, she was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy.  At age three, doctors found a brain tumor and she received an official diagnosis of a grade 3 astrocytoma of the cerebellum.  Two years ago, Kaia had her second open heart surgery to have an artificial valve installed.  Despite numerous diagnoses, Kaia has inspired and surprised friends and family with her persistance to never give up.  She is just one of the children who will have her most heartfelt wish grated as a result of this event. 

Who:	The Children's Wish Foundation, wish children and competing teams
When:	Friday, January 30, 2015 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
	(Media photo opportunity with wish children 9:30 to 10:00 am and until 4 pm by request)
Where:	NewCap Stage, West Edmonton Mall, #1755, 8882 – 170 Street

All members of the media are required to check in at West Edmonton Mall Guest Services for a media pass.

The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada
Each year, thousands of Canadian children between the ages of three and seventeen are diagnosed with a life threatening illness.  Since 1984, The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada has worked tirelessly to grant exceptional wishes to more than 21, 000 children and their families.  The Foundation has 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.  Visit www.childrenswish.ca.

SOURCE The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada

Elizabeth Lopresti, Associate Director, AB & NWT Chapter, office: 587.881.0061 cell: 780.695.8578 [email protected]