ESPN continues to grant wishes

From ESPN -

Wishes Granted for ESPN’s SportsCenter ‘My Wish’

Can you imagine kicking a soccer ball with a player from the U.S. Men’s National Team, managing a Major League Baseball team for a day, throwing a football to a Heisman Trophy winner, or getting into the water with one of the top female surfers? Those are the sports-themed wishes granted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation on ESPN’s sixth annual SportsCenter “My Wish,” Sunday, July 17 through Wednesday, July 20.

Each wish will be the subject of a SportsCenter feature segment with the first debuting on the 8 a.m. ET edition July 17, followed by the remaining three first airing on the 6 p.m. telecasts.

The summer series, which has now granted 35 wishes, shows dreams coming true in the lives of children with life-threatening medical conditions. Each segment will give viewers an in-depth and often emotional review, starting with how the wish is revealed to how the child interacts with his/her favorite athlete.

“The My Wish series shows viewers the joyful, self-empowering impact that a wish has on each of these kids,” said David Williams, Make-A-Wish Foundation of America president and chief executive officer. “The bond that grows between the kids and their favorite athletes before our eyes is priceless. We appreciate the support and dedication that ESPN puts into each story, presenting our mission in a captivating way no one else can.”

Emmy Award-winning reporter Chris Connelly will again host with participation from the following wish-granters: Landon Donovan of the Los Angeles Galaxy, surfer Bethany Hamilton, Tim Tebow of the Denver Broncos, and the Minnesota Twins. (Editor’s note: additional details of the participating athletes and wish kids will be announced closer to air date.)

"It was a privilege for us to sit in the living rooms of these amazing young people and their resourceful, loving families to hear their stories of courage and perseverance,” said Connelly. “I think viewers will enjoy seeing them interact with the athletes they have so long admired…it is going to be special for everyone."