Earvin "Magic" Johnson to Receive Joe DiMaggio American Icon Award January 15, 2015

HOLLYWOOD, FL--(Marketwired - Dec 23, 2014) - Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital will present the Joe DiMaggio American Icon Award to Earvin "Magic" Johnson, NBA legend, entrepreneur and philanthropist. Johnson is the second person to receive the award. President Bill Clinton was the first recipient. The award is given to that individual who represents the highest of values for which Joe DiMaggio stood.

Miguel "Mike" Fernandez, author and entrepreneur, will introduce Magic Johnson on the evening of Thursday, January 15, 2015 at The Diplomat Resort & Spa, 3555 S. Ocean Drive, Hollywood, Florida. Doors open at 6:30pm.

Scheduled to emcee the event is Lesley Visser, CBS reporter for more than 25 years and the most highly acclaimed female sportscaster of all time.

"We are proud to honor Earvin 'Magic' Johnson with the Joe DiMaggio American Icon Award," said Kevin Janser, Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Foundation. "His outstanding achievements in sports and business as well as his personal commitment to empowering the underserved make him an ideal recipient for this award."

Support of this event helps thousands of children and families who benefit from the lifesaving care provided every day at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital.

A number of local and national sports celebrities are expected to attend.

Tickets: $250 each.

To purchase tickets, please contact the Foundation office at 954-265-7241 Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. For additional information, visit jdchfoundation.org.

Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital was established in 1992 and combines advanced technology and the expertise of the largest, most diverse group of board-certified pediatric specialists in the region. Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital has 204 beds and is South Florida's newest freestanding children's hospital. The hospital is staffed 24 hours a day by world-class pediatricians, pediatric specialists, specialty-trained nurses and ancillary support staff. More than 650 physicians are on the medical staff.

This four-story, 180,000-square-foot, environmentally friendly facility features six pediatric operating rooms, dedicated medical/surgical units, family resource centers, ambulatory services, imaging services that feature a CT scanner disguised as a pirate ship, and an entire floor dedicated to inpatient and outpatient pediatric oncology treatment. The team at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital embraces a patient- and family-centered approach to care, working with families in the effort to best meet the needs of the child.