Compassion

Two primary compassion programs that DisneyHand supports are the medical compassion program and the Company�s relief efforts in the wake of September 11.  The medical compassion program creates opportunities to fulfill the wishes of children stricken with life-threatening illnesses, support those with life-threatening medical conditions and assist those who have suffered from natural disasters.   The Walt Disney Company and Disney employees work with major wish-giving organizations, such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Dreams Come True, A Special Wish, Starlight Foundation and Give Kids the World.  

The number one wish of all children with life threatening illnesses is a trip to a Disney theme park. In 2001, the company donated more than 7,000 trips to Disney theme parks, nearly 300 Disney Cruise packages and nearly 85,000 complimentary park tickets, which amounts to more than $4 million in tickets and in-kind support for compassion programs. In addition, the company provided shopping sprees at Disney Stores and movie screenings around the country. 

Give Kids The World is a 51-acre, non-profit resort for children with life-threatening illnesses whose one wish is to visit central Florida's best loved attractions. Through charitable giving and donations of trips to Disney theme parks, The Walt Disney Company helps Give Kids The World grant wishes to terminally ill children.  Give Kids The World Founder and President Henri Landwirth says the Village would not exist without the dedication of the "Angel" volunteers."They are the pulse and the heart of Give Kids The World and have been an integral part of the Village since its inception in 1986," Landwirth says.

To learn more about DisneyHand and its programs, please visit www.disneyhand.com.