Blizzard donates $ 800,000 Make-A-Wish Foundation

About Blizzard

Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. is an American video game developer and publisher founded on February 8, 1991 under the name Silicon & Synapse by three graduates of UCLA, Michael Morhaime, Allen Adham and Frank Pearce. Based in Irvine, California, the company originally concentrated primarily on the creation of game ports for other studios before beginning development of their own software in 1993 with the development of games like Rock N' Roll Racing and The Lost Vikings. In 1994 the company became Blizzard Entertainment Inc before being acquired by distributor Davidson & Associates and later by Vivendi. Shortly thereafter, Blizzard shipped their breakthrough hit Warcraft: Orcs and Humans. Blizzard went on to create several successful PC games, including the Warcraft, Starcraft and Diablo series, and the MMORPG World of Warcraft.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in the United States that grants wishes to children (2.5 years to 18 years old) who have life-threatening medical conditions.
The president & CEO of this charity is David A. Williams. The first wish was granted to Christopher James Greicius who wished to be a police officer. Chris died soon after.

The News

Make-A-Wish Foundation announced a donation of $ 800,000 received from Blizzard Entertainment studio, this amount representing 50% of sales revenue from PET Moonkin Hatchling during November-December 2010.
"We have a long collaboration with members of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and we are proud to contribute to the tremendous work that you submit for these children, "said Mike Morhaime, president and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment.

PHOENIX (May 5, 2011) – The Make-A-Wish Foundation today announced a $800,000 donation from Blizzard Entertainment, a premier developer and publisher of entertainment software. The donation is based on 50 percent of the total sales during November and December 2010 of a special in-game pet, the Moonkin Hatchling, for Blizzard's award-winning massively multiplayer online role-playing game, World of Warcraft® .
Blizzard Entertainment celebrated the donation on World Wish Day® , April 29, by granting the wishes of two boys at the company's headquarters in Irvine, Calif. Blizzard welcomed the two gaming enthusiasts and their families to enjoy an exclusive learning experience with the World of Warcraft development team, including an inside look at how the game is created.
World Wish Day is the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s global celebration of wish granting. The Make-A-Wish Foundation honored the day that sparked a global wish-granting movement by granting wishes in 41 countries that it serves. More than 250,000 children with life-threatening medical conditions around the world have received their fondest wishes through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
“We've had a long relationship with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and are proud to help contribute to the great work they do for children,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “We're also proud of the spirit and generosity of our players – their enthusiasm for World of Warcraft and for supporting a good cause made this donation possible.”
The contribution will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America, which serves children in the United States and its territories, and Make-A-Wish Foundation International, which serves children outside the United States in 40 countries.
“Blizzard Entertainment and World of Warcraft players around the world are helping the Make-A-Wish Foundation again this year to improve the quality of life for children with life-threatening medical conditions through this generous donation,” said David Williams, Make-A-Wish Foundation of America president and chief executive officer. “Children who have their wishes granted feel stronger, more self-confident and are more willing to fight their conditions. Blizzard Entertainment and World of Warcraft players are giving an incredible gift to these courageous children.”

“The global nature of Blizzard Entertainment and World of Warcraft players makes this collaboration incredibly special. It’s supporters like Blizzard and its players that give our organization the ability to grow our wish-granting efforts around the globe,” said Jon Stettner, Make-A-Wish Foundation International president and chief executive officer. “The continued support of Blizzard Entertainment and World of Warcraft players has allowed for hundreds of children around the globe to have their most cherished wishes granted by the Foundation. Thank you on behalf of the Foundation and the children we serve.”