Paul Newman's Camp Debuts "Healing Feeling"

NEW HAVEN, Conn., Jan. 15, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- During the past two years, campers Hannah and Janis have formed a special bond at The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp that has allowed them to face the challenges of mitochondrial disease together and experience "a different kind of healing." The unforgettable story of their friendship brings the unique spirit of The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp to life in the first online "Healing Feeling" profile, which is part of a series being released during the Camp's 25th anniversary celebration in 2012-13.

"As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we want to tell the 'hole' story of Camp by sharing some inspirational stories showing how Paul Newman's dream has become a community defined by fun, friendship and transformation," said James Canton, CEO of The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. "By sharing the beautiful friendship of Hannah and Janis and other amazing stories, we will not only be celebrating Paul's legacy, but also sharing his dream with the world so that others can learn more about The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp and its impact on thousands of children and families throughout the Northeast."

The story of Hannah and Janis is now online at http://youtu.be/Z-X6H7iYp7I and on the Camp website at http://www.holeinthewallgang.org. In the three-minute video, the campers and their mothers recall the spontaneous moment when Janis connected with a reserved Hannah and how the two have become best friends as they cope with their shared illness together. Hannah and Janis will be the first of several "Healing Feeling" episodes released during the 25th anniversary celebration in 2012-13. Grey New York, which serves as the Camp's pro-bono communications agency, provided production and marketing assistance.

About The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp and its 25th Anniversary

In 1988, Paul Newman opened The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Connecticuts o that children coping with serious illnesses could have a special hideout where they could simply be kids. The Camp, which served 288 campers its first year, is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2012-13 with 20,000 children and family members now experiencing "a different kind of healing" annually. Each year, 2,500 are served onsite and 19,000 visits by the Hospital Outreach Program bring the fun and friendship of Camp into more than 20 locations throughout the Northeast – all free of charge. The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp is celebrating this milestone with events and initiatives that will gather the Camp family together and invite new friends to support Paul Newman's dream.

CONTACT:

Ryan Thompson

The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp

(203) 772-0522, ext. 31

ryan.thompson@holeinthewallgang.org

Founded in 1988 by Paul Newman, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp is a community dedicated to providing "a different kind of healing" to children and their families coping with cancer, sickle cell anemia and other serious illnesses. Through summer sessions and family weekend programs at the Camp in Ashford, Connecticut, and year-round outreach to hospitals and clinics throughout the Northeast, the Camp serves more than 20,000 children and family members annually. All services are free of charge.

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