PHOENIX, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- A team of 16 Make-A-Wish^® kids representing 11 different states in addition to Washington D.C. and Canada will have their wishes granted when they travel to Atlanta, Ga. for Super Bowl LIII. The kids, who are all facing critical illnesses, will experience a life-changing, football-fueled weekend thanks to the generous donations of individuals and corporate supporters, including the National Football League (NFL).

The fun begins on Thursday, Jan. 31 when the wish families kick off their Super Bowl weekend at a welcome reception at Dave & Buster's – a national sponsor of Make-A-Wish. In the following days, the wish kids will receive a private, behind-the-scenes tour of Mercedes-Benz Stadium, spend time with past and present NFL players and test their football skills at the Super Bowl Experience. To cap off their wish, the wish kids will be in attendance to watch as the NFC Champion Los Angeles Rams and AFC Champion New England Patriots face off in Super Bowl LIII on Sunday, Feb. 3.

"A wish-come-true provides wish kids with a powerful, life-changing experience that can have a significant impact on their emotional and physical health going forward," said Richard Davis, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish America. "The 16 wish kids who attend Super Bowl LIII will make unforgettable memories that will serve as a source of positivity long after the confetti falls and the winner has been crowned."

Wish kids at the Super Bowl date back to 1982 when the NFL granted the wish of John Paul Serna, a 12-year-old Arizona boy who attended Super Bowl XVI. The wish was the 9^th ever in Make-A-Wish history, and since then, every Super Bowl for the past 38 years has been attended by at least one wish kid; totaling more than 200 Super Bowl wishes over nearly four decades.

To learn more and find out how you can get involved, visit wish.org.

SOURCE Make-A-Wish

Related Links

http://www.wish.org