Children's Wish to raise $10M by 2021

Charity to Announce More Wishes, More Wonders Campaign

PICKERING, ON, Oct. 27, 2015 /CNW/ - The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada is expanding its reach to grant more wishes by including children with serious neurological and genetic diagnoses, like severe cerebral palsy. Since its recent outreach to this emerging population, Children's Wish has already granted almost 70 wishes to these remarkable children.

Children's Wish is anticipating an increase of 200 wishes as it incorporates this new and emerging population. To help grant these wishes, Children's Wish is publicly launching the More Wishes, More Wonders Campaign, and has a projected $10 million goal by 2021. The launch is occurring simultaneously across the country on October 29^th, at various locations.

"I have been involved with Children's Wish for 25 years at the board level and in fundraising. The campaign is the single biggest initiative during my tenure," said Dave Lacey, President and CEO at Brookfield RPS and National Campaign Co-Chair. "We have ambitious goals in terms of granting and funding these new, complex wishes.  It is fantastic to see champions stepping forward across the country to raise $10,000,000 by 2021. You can help us reach this group of deserving children."

Children's Wish is inviting media to take part in the Ontario Region launch of the More Wishes, More Wonders Campaign taking place on October 29, 2015 at the University of Toronto.

To RSVP by October 28, contact Sandra Gregory, Communications Specialist, 905.767.6356 or by email: [email protected]

WHAT:	More Wishes, More Wonders Campaign Launch
WHEN:	Thursday, October 29, 2015 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
WHO:	The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada
WHERE:	Faculty Club at the University of Toronto
	41 Willcocks St., Toronto, Ont.

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:

• Chris Kotsopoulos, CEO of The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada
• Dr. Jeremy Friedman, Associate Paediatrician-in-Chief, Hospital for Sick Children
• Wish Families from the new population
• Dave Lacey, President and CEO at Brookfield RPS and National Campaign Co-Chair

The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada

*Please note – we are not Make a Wish; The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada is a separate organization

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 more than 22,000 children and their families; more than 5,000 of those wishes have been granted in Ontario.

Already within our first six months of this year, we are experiencing unprecedented increases of wish referrals through our strong medical community relationships for our wishes granted to children with life-threatening illnesses. Now more than ever, we are encouraging Canadians to donate and support The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada to help us grant the next most heartfelt wish.

This year, Children's Wish expects to grant over 1,000 new wishes 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.

Children's Wish is a national charity with chapters in every province and territory. The organization's key fundraising events include Exile Island, Princess Tea Parties, and Wishmaker Walks currently taking place in over 100 communities across Canada.

Visit www.childrenswish.ca for more information.

SOURCE The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada

Ontario Region - Media Contact: Sandra Gregory, Communications Specialist, Telephone: [phone], [email protected]