WWE has issued the following:
(Stamford, CT) On Thursday, April 28th, WWE hosted a special day at their Stamford headquarters for 18-year-old Colby McMahon of Derby. Colby, who battles Cystic Fibrosis, has a dream to build and operate a state-of-the-art website that celebrates and promotes outdoor sports and activities – http://www.tmrwsportsman.com/. Make-A-Wish Connecticut and WWE partnered to make Colby’s wish – and more – come true.
The mission of Make-A-Wish is to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.
Colby began to build his website in 2013 with the help of his best friend and the support of his family. When Colby was approached by Make-A-Wish volunteers, he knew this was an opportunity to turn his website into the stellar design he had always dreamed, and even learn the art of managing a website, and a business. After meeting with a marketing professional to help Colby shape his vision, Make-A-Wish and WWE then prepared to take his wish experience to a whole new level.
Colby’s day began at when he was picked by a limousine and escorted to the WWE Headquarters in Stamford. After an introduction and welcome from Michelle Wilson, WWE Chief Revenue & Marketing Officer and Make-A-Wish Connecticut Board Member, the group went to the rooftop to raise the MAW flag above the building. The flags atop of the WWE Building are a landmark that cannot be missed by travelers along the I-95 corridor.
Colby and his new team then went into the WWE TV Studio where they received a tour and an interview in the studio that was set up with Colby’s “Tomorrow’s Sportsman” branding.
Following his interview, Colby then met with representatives from the WWE Human Resources Department. They shared information about the importance of making business connections, how to work as a team, networking and setting goals. Colby spent the rest of the afternoon meeting professionals from the Marketing, Creative Services, Digital,Social Media and eCommerce teams. Each team played a critical role in making Colby’s wish come true. The Creative Services Team created the logo. The Digital Team built and provided content for the site, and presented Colby with a go-pro for him to record his adventures for the site. The Social Media Team set up a various social accounts for Colby’s new business “Tomorrow’s Sportsman.” And finally, the eCommerce Team put together a merchandising account linked to the website, and instructed Colby on how to begin selling “Tomorrows Sportsman” merchandise right away. They even presented him with a case of “Tomorrow’s Sportsman” t-shirts to get their merchandising efforts started.
The final highlight of the day for Colby was when WWE Chief Brand Officer and TV personality Stephanie McMahon made a surprise visit and presented him with a WWE World Heavyweight Championship title. McMahon told Colby that she and her team are available for further guidance and mentoring as he grows his business.
Colby, his best friend Jake and their families were overwhelmed by the generosity and kindness of the entire WWE team. They were chauffeured home once again Hy’s Limo, donated by WWE.
Colby’s wish has been granted in honor of World Wish Day on April 29th, which is a day that celebrates the first wish granted to a young boy named Chris in Phoenix in 1980. Chris’ wish was to be a police officer. Since that Spring day 36 years ago, over 250,000 wishes have been granted to children with life-threatening medical conditions across the country.
“Celebrating World Wish Day by granting Colby’s wish with the support of WWE has been overwhelming for all of us,” commented Pam Keough, President & CEO of Make-A-Wish Connecticut. “WWE has always been an avid supporter and sponsor of our mission nationwide. To grant a wish locally in Connecticut at their Stamford headquarters truly speaks to what World Wish Day is all about – celebrating our national organization and the global impact our mission has had on hundreds of thousands of children, while always remembering the significance of every individual wish. We are honored to continue to work with WWE and thank them for believing in the power of a wish.”
“It was an honor to make Colby’s wish come true and give an aspiring entrepreneur the tools and guidance he needs to launch a successful online business,” said Michelle Wilson, WWE Chief Revenue & Marketing Officer and Make-A-Wish Connecticut Board Member. “We are proud to celebrate World Wish Day and continue our support of the incredible work that Make-A-Wish does to provide joy, smiles and hope during each individual wish they grant. That is the true power of a wish.”
For more information on Make-A-Wish Connecticut, visit CT.WISH.ORG.
About Make-A-Wish® Connecticut
The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Connecticut grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Wish-come-true experiences can do wonders by providing a much-needed break from lengthy hospital stays and medical treatments. They give back to a child what a serious medical condition can take away—the chance to simply enjoy being a kid. Wish kids choose something that will inspire happiness, and allow them to spend precious time with their families. The Connecticut chapter has made over 2,600 wishes come true since its inception in 1986. Learn more about Connecticut wishes at ct.wish.org, or join Make-A-Wish on Facebook (search Make-A-Wish Connecticut) and follow them on Twitter and Instagram (@MakeAWishCT).
Nick was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and lived there until the age of 18, when he decided to pack his flack jacket and move to New York City.
