NEWS FLASH - August 2, 2000 - The final tally has been completed and the General Motors Family raised $128,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Steve's hair was shaved on August 1st and will be broadcast on August 8th on a live GM Satellite broadcast to GM Facilities throughout the United States.

Click here to see the Fox 47 news clip on Madison.

Making Wishes Come True

General Motors Worldwide Facilities Group (WFG) employees are challenged to help make a wish come true for children with cancer. Steven Tomaszewski, Environmental Manager at Lansing/W. Michigan Facilities, requests donations to the Make-A-Wish Foundation®. The foundation makes once-in-a-lifetime dreams come true for many young cancer patients.

Steven’s 4-year-old daughter was granted a wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation®. Madison Farhat-Tomaszewski was diagnosed in July with hepatoblastoma, a rare form of liver cancer. The cancer rapidly spread to her heart and both lungs.

Children with life-threatening diseases qualify to make a wish similar to Madison’s. Some choose to meet famous individuals such as

Shania Twain or the Backstreet Boys, while others ask for trips to Disney World or a shopping spree to Mall of America. Regardless of the request, the purpose is to give these children and their families a "vacation" from the illness. Many of these children undergo extensive treatments that are painfully long, yet they struggle to live a full and normal life.

Madison was thrilled to learn that she her wish for a pool will come true. However, she also would like her "cancer friends" to have their wishes come true. In August, Madison and her mom helped raise over $40,000 in the first Walk-For-Wishes campaign to generate funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation®. The campaign helped grant 8 children and their families a dream come true. This time Madison and her dad challenges the GM community to beat the $40,000 tally. And to add some fun to the challenge, Steven promised that if GM raises $40,001 or more, Ray Tessier, Director of WFG-Environmental Services, will shave Steven’s head.

Contributions are still being accepted. Your tax-deductible check, made out to Make-A-Wish Foundation®, can be sent to:

Lansing Area:

                General Motors
                Attn: Sonia Ladwig
                M/C 489-070-035
                920 Townsend
                Lansing, MI 48921
                Phone: 517.885.0146

All Other Locations:

General Motors
Attn: Vivan Ford
485 W. Milwaukee
Argo A-2nd Floor
Detroit, MI 48202
Phone: 313.556.9344