WestJet Cares for Kids invites the media to attend the first annual "Make-A-Wish® Go Blue! Go Bald!" event at the Region of Waterloo International Airport (YKF)

Waterloo Region - Move over redheads.  Step aside brunettes.  Blue is now the hottest trend in hair colour across Waterloo County as participants prepare for the Make-A-Wish^® Go Blue! Go Bald! head shave event. 

Waterloo-Cambridge-Kitchener residents are invited to join in the fun at Go Blue! Go Bald! on Sunday, February 24^th from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Region of Waterloo International Airport in Breslau.  To register for Go Blue! Go Bald! or to sponsor a participant, please visit www.makeawish.ca/gobluegobald.  The Kitchener-Waterloo Go Blue! Go Bald! event is proudly sponsored by 105.3 KOOL FM, Oldies 1090, The Record and CTV.

Included in this year's Go Blue! Go Bald! participants are YKF WestJet Station Manager Rui Pinto and many of Rui's fellow WestJetters.  "We are very proud to be part of this event. It allows us to do what just comes naturally to us WestJetters; caring. Caring is what has made us such a successful airline. Truly caring for each other, our guests and the communities we are a part of," says Rui. WestJetters have also provided volunteer support to help organize and hold the event.  WestJet, through the WestJet Cares For Kids community investment program, has been a national corporate partner of Make-A-Wish^® Canada since March 2007.  WestJet donates flights to Make-A-Wish^® chapters across Canada to help fulfill travel wishes, and encourages employees like Pinto and his fellow WestJetters to become involved with their local Make-A-Wish chapter.

 Wish child Baden and his family, who experienced a Disney Cruise wish, will be special guests at the Kitchener-Waterloo Go Blue! Go Bald! event.  After Baden's wish, his mom Joanne Klein told Make-A-Wish, "This was a trip to remember. I have held Baden's hand through many tough times, and it was a joy to hold his hand through this trip. It was a complete and utter joy!  Thank you."  Baden's family will be speaking at 1 p.m. about their wish experience.

 Make-A-Wish Southwestern Ontario grants wishes to create hope and happiness for children with life-threatening illnesses across Southwestern Ontario.  In 2007 we granted 65 wishes, which represents a 41% increase from the previous year.  In 2008 our wishes are continuing to increase.  Already in 2008 we have granted 10 wishes, and currently have 69 wishes underway across Southwestern Ontario.  Support from events like Go Blue! Go Bald! helps us continue making wishes come true. 

 In 2008, Make-A-Wish is celebrating 25 years of granting wishes across Canada.  To learn more about the magic of a wish, please visit www.swo.makeawish.ca.