ST. LOUIS, MO. - The University of Missouri-St. Louis Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), in conjunction with the Department of Athletics, will host a Make-A-Wish^® Day on Saturday, January 21.
 
The event will take place during the UMSL women's and men's basketball games that afternoon against Truman State in the Mark Twain Building gymnasium. The women's contest tips off at 1 p.m., followed by the men's game at 3 p.m.
 
Make-A-Wish Missouri families have been invited to the games and will receive vouchers for snacks during the game. Children will also have the opportunity to meet current UMSL student-athletes, while receiving a tour of the locker rooms and workout facilities used by those student-athletes. In addition, wish children will be eligible to participate in halftime contests during the games.
 
"UMSL Athletics and our SAAC students are honored to be a part of the NCAA Division II Make-A-Wish initiative," said SAAC co-advisor Harry Harris. "We take great pride in knowing we can help make a difference in the recipients of wishes and their families."

The NCAA Division II SAAC established the Make-A-Wish partnership in 2003 and has since become one of the foundation's largest and most consistent contributors. In the spirit of service, NCAA Division II student-athletes, coaches, administrators, parents, fans, friends and communities across the country are working hard to make a difference in the lives of wish kids through their fundraising efforts.
 
NCAA Division II has raised more than $4.5 million toward granting the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. Nearly 600 wishes have been granted through Division II contributions. These wishes can serve as a game changer in children's fights against their illnesses, helping them feel better, and in some cases even get better.

About Make-A-Wish Missouri
Since 1983, Make-A-Wish® Missouri has granted wishes to more than 6,000 children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. This year, the local chapter will grant more than 330 wishes. According to a U.S. study of wish impact, most health professionals surveyed believe a wish-come-true can influence the health of children. Kids say wishes give them renewed strength to fight their illnesses, and their parents say these experiences help strengthen the entire family.
 
For more information about Make-A-Wish Missouri and how you can share the power of a wish^®, please visit our website (mo.wish.org) and connect with us on Facebook  (makeawishmo), Twitter (@makeawishmo), Instagram (@makeawishmo) and YouTube (MakeAWishMO).