What would it be like shooting baskets with a NBA champion and MVP? Or tossing the football around with a NFL receiver and quarterback? How about slapping the puck around with a NHL player or racing around the track with a NASCAR driver? Or teeing off with one of the most exciting young PGA Tour golfers? Wish kids can tell you.
Those are the sports-themed wishes granted by Make-A-Wish in collaboration with the seventh-annual ESPN “My Wish” series, which started on Sunday, July 15 and is running through the week.
The summer series profiles wishes coming true for children with life-threatening medical conditions. Each segment takes viewers on an in-depth and often emotional journey into the children’s lives, medical conditions, the wish-reveal, and the transformative experiences with their favorite athletes.
Emmy Award-winning reporter Chris Connelly will again host with participation from the following wish-granters: the Miami Heat’s LeBron James, Washington Capitals’ Alexander Ovechkin, Philadelphia Eagles’ DeSean Jackson, PGA’s Rory McIlroy, NASCAR’s Kyle Busch, and the New York Jets’ Mark Sanchez.
“It’s great to be back for our seventh season of My Wish,” says Connelly. From the beginning, it’s always been a privilege for me just to step into the homes of these families and hear their powerful stories. It’s impossible not to be moved by these parents’ love and dedication and belief in the face of the unthinkable — the life-threatening illness of a child. Once again, we have terrific young people to introduce you to this year, along with the athletes who fulfill their really heartwarming wishes and put some unforgettable smiles on their faces."
“The My Wish series allows viewers to see firsthand the power and impact that a wish has on each wish kid we serve,” said David A. Williams, Make-A-Wish America president and chief executive officer. “Join us in watching the connection that grows between these kids and their favorite athletes. The support and dedication that ESPN puts into sharing each story matches our vision of granting the wish of every eligible child.”
Each wish will be the subject of a SportsCenter feature segment beginning Sunday morning, July 15 with a new piece to premier every day that week. Each feature will also be available at ESPN.com following its original air date.
