BERT’S BIG ADVENTURE CELEBRATES 10 YEARS OF SENDING “STARS” TO WALT DISNEY WORLD WITH 2012 SEND-OFF PARTY THURSDAY, FEB. 16

BERT’S BIG ADVENTURE CELEBRATES 10 YEARS OF SENDING “STARS” TO WALT DISNEY WORLD WITH 2012 SEND-OFF PARTY THURSDAY, FEB. 16

Meet the 2012 Families at Hollywood-Sized Party; Big Announcement for 2013 to be Revealed

WHAT: Bert’s Big Adventure families, friends and supporters will gather at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel Atlanta Airport Thursday, Feb. 16 to kick-off an unforgettable trip with a party fit for the stars. Celebrating its 10^th anniversary of sending children with chronic and terminal illnesses to Walt Disney World®, Bert’s Big Adventure has pulled out all the stops for the 2012 kick-off event and will make a major announcement for next year’s trip.

Children will enjoy Nintendo Wii entertainment by Amusement Masters, outrageous hair styling by Bedazzle-Do, special VIP section just for kids by Carter’s/OshKosh B’Gosh®, inflatable bounce houses , Disney characters, face painting and magicians. Parents and adults will receive celebrity treatment with hair and make-up applications by Balance Salon, and mini massages. Children’s eyes will light up when they spot their names on Bert’s Big Adventure’s personalized Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Outdoing itself in its 10^th year, Bert’s Big Adventure will make surprise reveals for select families. Past reveals have included a fully-loaded handicapped accessible minivan for a single-mother, a dream wedding of a lifetime for a couple who had spent their life-savings on medical bills and an unbelievable home makeover. Planned by Posh Tot Events, this is one event you don’t want to miss; join the fun, laughter, excitement and tears of joy that all take place at this incredible send-off.

WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012

5:30 a.m. “The Bert Show” live broadcast begins

6:30 a.m. Media check-in opens

10 a.m. Families depart for ExpressJet hangar

10:30 a.m. Red carpet departure at ExpressJet hangar with Disney characters, Bert’s Big Adventure staff and families

Noon Families depart for Walt Disney World

WHO: Bert and Stacey Weiss, co-founders of Bert’s Big Adventure

2012 Bert’s Big Adventure children:

Bree B. Age 5 Newnan

Brianna E. Age 6 Douglasville

Elizabeth O. Age 5 Thomaston

Gabe A. Age 11 Woodstock

Hunter W. Age 12 Gainesville

Jainah R. Age 8 Morrow

Jordan S. Age 5 Canton

Linda C. Age 11 Kennesaw

Marie S. Age 5 Atlanta

Megan M. Age 10 Dalton

Noah M. Age 5 Flowery Branch

Will A. Age 5 Kathleen

ExpressJet Hangar, 990 Toffie Terrace, Atlanta, GA 30354

MORE: Bert's Big Adventure is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization designed to allow children, 5 to 12 years, with a chronic or terminal illness to experience a weekend with their families at Walt Disney World® as their guests . The trip serves all children living in “The Bert Show” radio listening area (All the Hits Q100, 99.7 FM) in metro Atlanta, who prove financial need and who have never been to Walt Disney World. Through the Walt Disney World trip and additional events scheduled throughout the year, Bert’s Big Adventure gives families the chance to experience the land where “dreams come true” in a way that they would not be able to without their help.

Website: www.bertsbigadventure.org | Facebook: www.facebook.com/bertsbigadventure | Twitter: www.twitter.com/bertsbigadv

HEIGH HO, HEIGH HO, IT’S OFF TO WALT DISNEY WORLD WE GO!

HEIGH HO, HEIGH HO, IT’S OFF TO WALT DISNEY WORLD WE GO!
Twelve Families Selected for 10^th Anniversary Trip with Bert’s Big Adventure

ATLANTA – After sorting through more than 100 applications, making dozens of phone calls, careful consideration and much deliberation, the Bert’s Big Adventure selection committee has chosen 12 children with chronic and terminal illnesses and their families from throughout metro Atlanta and The Bert Show listening area to travel to Walt Disney World this February on the organization’s 10^th annual trip. The adventure begins when the families arrive via Cooper Global limousines at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel Atlanta Airport on Wednesday, February 15, 2012, where they will spend the night before departing for Walt Disney World to spend five days making a lifetime of memories.

The 12 children who have been chosen to go on this year’s trip, along with their families, are:

Bre B. Age 5 Newnan, GA
Brianna E. Age 6 Douglasville, GA
Elizabeth O. Age 5 Thomaston, GA
Gabe A. Age 10 Woodstock, GA
Hunter W. Age 12 Gainesville, GA
Jainah R. Age 8 Morrow, GA
Linda C. Age 11 Kennesaw, GA
Marie S. Age 5 Atlanta, GA
Megan M. Age 9 Dalton, GA
Noah M. Age 5 Flowery Branch, GA
Will A. Age 5 Kathleen, GA
Jordan S. Age 5 Canton, GA

“This year’s kids are affected by a variety of conditions, from cerebral palsy to cystic fibrosis and cancer,” says the organization’s namesake and host of The Bert Show, Bert Weiss, “but the thing they all have in common is that they face tremendous challenges every day. It’s a privilege to help them leave those challenges behind for a few days so they can focus on spending time with their families and experiencing things they might never have the chance to enjoy otherwise.”

Over the past decade, the support of corporate sponsors, fundraisers, and individual members of the Atlanta community has allowed Bert’s Big Adventure to provide more than 100 families with much more than the adventure of a lifetime. Through a series of reunions, birthday parties, and other events held throughout the year, current and former Bert’s Big Adventure families become part of a network of children and parents who share the same difficulties.

There are always ways to support the initiatives of Bert’s Big Adventure, financially and otherwise. It’s easy to make a monetary donation at www.bertsbigadventure.org/donate, but the non-profit has also compiled a wish list of both small and large ticket items that are essential to running a VIP trip. Donations range from Disney pajamas and iPods to gift cards, and no contribution is too small. To see the full wish list, visit www.bertsbigadventure.org/donate/wish-list.

About Bert’s Big Adventure: Bert's Big Adventure is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization designed to allow children with a chronic or terminal illness ages 5 to 12 years of age that prove financial need and live in The Bert Show’s Atlanta radio listening area (WWWQ-FM/99.7) to experience a magical 5 day adventure with their families at Walt Disney World®. Through the Walt Disney World trip and additional events throughout the year, Bert’s Big Adventure simply takes these families away from the daily routine of stress and provides intimate time where, for a few short moments, their focus turns from their child’s illness to having fun and enjoying these special experiences.

Website: www.bertsbigadventure.org | Facebook: www.facebook.com/bertsbigadventure
Twitter: www.twitter.com/bertsbigadv

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month: Curing Kids Cancer

Help Arrest Childhood Cancer information from Curing Kids Cancer

Killian Owen was a tough kid - fighting leukemia for four years. But even tough kids can't always beat deadly diseases. Killian lost his battle in 2003.

Cops Curing Kids' Cancer and Teacher's Curing Kids' Cancer were created to honor Killian and help fund new treatments to save the lives of other children battling cancer. Join fellow public safety officials and teachers in helping raise money for childhood cancer research.

For more information contact:
Mike Bowman at mike@curingkidscancer.org
Bonnie Smith at bonnie@curringkidscancer.org

Bloggers in Atlanta together are turning childhood cancer from a killer disease into a curable one! Join us to fight cancer and ask for money to fund cancer research!

Get stated at www.curingkidscancer.org or call 1.866.933.CURE.





















<------ Georgia Social Media Bloggers













<---- Fairy Godparent from Bert's Big Adventure!
















<----- Beautiful mural in the front lobby! Also wonderful children's artwork throughout the hospital!