Media Advisory - Ontario Wish Child to Be White-Hatted At Calgary International Airport

Aaron Visits Calgary for a Week at the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth

CALGARY, July 5, 2016 /CNW/ - The Calgary Stampede has a worldwide reputation and is set to draw thousands of visitors to Calgary over the next two weeks. On Friday, July 8, one of those visitors, 18-year-old Wish child Aaron, will see his single-most heartfelt Wish come true: a week at the Greatest Outdoor Show On Earth. A horse enthusiast from Ontario, Aaron's Wish begins with a white hat ceremony by city officials at the Calgary International Airport.

What: Aaron's Stampede Wish – White Hat Ceremony
When: Friday, July 8, 2016 at 9 a.m.
Where: Calgary International Airport - 2000 Airport Rd NE, Calgary, AB

Born with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy, Aaron's life has been one of struggle. His movement has always been difficult, hampered by his condition. Despite this, he has a passion for one of the most physical activities there is: horse riding. Inspired by his grandmother, Aaron became passionate about horses as a little boy. Finding them to be friendly and fun, Aaron believes horses are one the best animals to own. Because of his passion, Aaron has wished for a long time to attend the Calgary Stampede. He can't wait to see the barrel racing, bull riding, bronco riding, chuckwagon races, and horse shows.

"My wish has come true," says Aaron, "To go to the Stampede is every horseman's dream. This is the biggest event for horse people to go to; they say it is something every person should experience."

Aaron's Wish consists of all the best the Stampede has to offer.  The Calgary Stampede Committee has arranged for Aaron to attend the Grandstand show, Rodeo, and Chuckwagon Races as well as to meet Stampede Royalty. In addition, Aaron and his family will have exclusive backstage access at the Grandstand and a Barn Tour prior to the Chuckwagon races. Thanks to Spruce Meadows, on Sunday July 10th Aaron will also get to see the world's finest equestrian riders and horses at the International and the Parade of Nations. Aaron's wish trip will be capped off with tickets to see his see one of his favourite bands, the Zac Brown band, on Thursday, July 14 courtesy of Calgary Stampede.

The Children's Wish Foundation will have a presence at the Stampede this year during the Chuckwagon races. Children's Wish has been generously donated a Chuckwagon tarp by Calgarian Randy Gregory and the Foundation will host a group of stakeholders at the infield of the Grandstand for a BBQ.

The Children's Wish Foundation would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Calgary Stampede Committee, Spruce Meadows, the Calgary Airport Authority, and Mr. Gregory for their support of Aaron's Wish.

About The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada

The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada is the largest all-Canadian wish granting charity dedicated to granting wishes to Canadian children between the ages of 3 and 17 who are diagnosed with a life-threatening illness.  For more than 30 years, Children's Wish has worked tirelessly to grant heartfelt wishes to nearly 25,000 children and their families.

This year, the Children's Wish Foundation of Canada expects to grant over 1,200 new wishes across the country with the help of volunteers and generous donors; that is approximately three wishes each and every day, all year long. The Alberta & NWT Chapter has granted more than 2,000 wishes to date and will grant more than 130 wishes this year alone! Each wish is a child's most heartfelt wish, and is carefully structured to meet the particular needs of the child and their family.

Already 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 continue to grant the next most heartfelt wish. Children's Wish is a national charity with chapters in every province and territory. Visit www.childrenswish.ca for more information and to donate.

Twitter: @ChildrensWishAB
Instagram: @childrenswishab
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChildrensWishAB/

SOURCE The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada

For further information: Rhys Dowbiggin, Communications Specialist, The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada | Alberta & N.W.T. Chapter, T: 587-880-3252 | F: 403-265-1704, [email protected]