Saturday, December 20, 2008
DREAM COMES TRUE FOR SPECIAL CHILD THIS CHRISTMAS AS FIRST-EVER JAPAN
WISHFLIGHT TAKES OFF FOR DISNEYLAND
American Airlines and Make-A-Wish of Japan Hold Send-Off Reception
at the Narita Admirals Club
Captain Welcomes Wish Child onto Flight at the Departure Gate
TOKYO - American Airlines and Make-A-Wish Japan, the local office of the Make-A-Wish
Foundation® International, the largest wish-granting organization in the world, today sent Omoi
Sendai, a junior high school student from Toyama prefecture, off to Los Angeles on the inaugural
Japan WishFlight. Omoi, who is battling a complex medical condition called Fanconi’s anemia, has
had a long-standing dream of going to Disneyland in Anaheim, California, and that dream today
became a reality.
The send-off reception took place at the Narita Admirals Club located in Terminal 2 at Narita
International Airport. Masami Yagi, President of Make-A-Wish Japan said at the reception,
“Granting this wish of Omoi’s to go to Disneyland with his family brings the total number of wishes
we have been able to grant over the years to 1290. We are so happy for Omoi and hope he has a
wonderful time..”
Wesley Stockstill, Director of Marketing and Strategy for American Airlines in the Pacific presented
Omoi with a model American Airlines airplane as a commemorative gift, and Robert T. Hayashi,
Online & Brand Marketing Manager, American Airlines Japan remarked, “Today Omoi-kun will be
the first child in what we hope to be a long line of children from Japan whose dreams can be made
reality through the WishFlight. We hope to be able to spread the word to many children
throughout Japan like Omoi-kun that this opportunity is available to them. We commend you for
your courage Omoi and hope you have a great time at Disneyland.”
Omoi’s dream will come true as he enjoys spending time at Disneyland with his family and a
volunteer escort from Make-A-Wish Japan. Omoi will return to Japan on Christmas Day.
About the WishFlight
An annual event since 1996, WishFlight sends families of children with life-threatening medical
conditions to Orlando each fall to experience a week of fun at Give Kids The World Village and area
theme parks. Since 1996, 270 children have participated in WishFlights and more than $1,000,000
in cash and in-kind donations has been raised by Something mAAgic to send children from Canada,
Mexico, Europe, Latin America and the United States to Walt Disney World. This flight is the
first-ever Japan WishFlight, a similar collaboration by the organizations listed below to make one of
the dreams of a Japanese child facing difficult medical challenges come true.
About Make-A-Wish Japan
Make-A-Wish Japan, founded in 1992, is the official chapter for Japan of the Make-A-Wish
Foundation International and is an international affiliate of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. With the
help of 4,000 volunteers in 8 chapters nationwide, Make-A-Wish Japan has granted 1,290 wishes.
About American Airlines
American Airlines, American Eagle and the AmericanConnection® airlines serve 250 cities in 40
countries with, on average, more than 3,400 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers
more than 900 aircraft. American's award-winning Web site, AA.com®, provides users with easy
access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers. American
Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld® Alliance, which brings together some of the best
and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services
and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members serve nearly 700
destinations in over 140 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle
Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation. AmericanAirlines, American Eagle,
AmericanConnection, AA.com, We know why you fly and AAdvantage are registered trademarks of
American Airlines, Inc. (NYSE: AMR)
About the Something mAAgic Foundation
The Something mAAgic Foundation® is a 501C(3) non-profit organization made up of American
Airlines®, American Eagle®, and American Airlines Federal Credit Union® employee volunteers.
By supporting the missions of the Make-A-Wish Foundation® and Give Kids the World Village®, we
help create magical memories for children with life-threatening medical conditions. Since 1996,
more than $1,000,000 has been raised to help children from Canada, Europe, Latin America,
Mexico and the United States realize their lifelong wish. For more information, visit
www.somethingmaagic.org.
Caption1= Crew from the cockpit and cabin pose for the camera with Omoi and his family just before
they board American Airlines flight 170 bound for Los Angeles on the inaugural Japan
WishFlight.
Caption2= The Sendai family are treated with a specially decorated “Wish Cake” at the send off ceremony
for the first Japan WishFlight in the American Airlines Admirals Club at Narita.
