Grand Rapids, Mich. (February 22, 2005) – Six-year-old Karlie is less than a month away from realizing every little girl’s fantasy – to be a princess for the day – thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan and the Western Michigan community who is making her dream come true on Sunday, March 13th, 2005.

A new chapter in this Muskegon girl’s life will be written on this day and the pages will be filled with memories that she and her family will not soon forget. After all, it’s not every day that you get to live your ultimate dream to be a princess for the day and have a coronation ceremony and a Royal Ball thrown in your honor.

If it sounds like a dream come true, it truly is. But every storybook fantasy has its share of challenges and unfortunate circumstances and Karlie’s story is no exception.

Karlie’s Diagnosis
Diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) with complications at just three months old, Karlie’s life has been a barrage of doctor’s appointments, daily treatments and lots of medication. 

CF is a genetic disease in which the body produces an abnormal amount of mucus in the lungs. This is considered a chronic and life-threatening medical condition because of the lung infections and digestion problems is it known to cause.

Karlie’s daily regime includes using two inhalers, twice daily, wearing a special vest that literally shakes her body so as to help break up the build up of excess mucus in her tiny lungs, and taking 4 pills to assist in her digestion. This is her experience on an average day. This, however, is compounded on those days in which she is sick.

According to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, CF occurs in approximately one of every 3,200 live Caucasian births (in one of every 3,900 live births of all Americans). About 1,000 new cases of CF are diagnosed each year.

“Princess Karlie’s Coronation Ceremony”
No princess can come to town without an entourage and a royal welcome. So, “Princess Karlie” will enjoy much fan-fare at a special Coronation Ceremony where she will be crowned princess for the day by Miss Michigan, Kelli Talacki. Emceeing the ceremony will be Star 108’s Britta Cleveland. Other ceremony highlights include, ballet performances by two dance troops from the Cassell Dance & Gymnastic Studios, located in Norton Shores, special singing performances by Miss Michigan and Britta Cleveland, an address by the Vice Mayor of Muskegon -- Bill Larsen -- and the presentation of her sister as “Lady Shelby Noel.”

Following this very special ceremony will be a private party for her and about 350 invited guests to enjoy.  She will truly be the Belle of the Ball on Sunday, March 13th at the Holiday Inn directly across from the Frauenthal Theatre for her Royal Ball from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Special plans for her Royal Ball include: a DJ to spin Karlie’s favorite tunes so all can dance, entertainment by clowns, face painters, arts and crafts, games and much more. Additionally, Karlie and her guests will dine on the finest cuisine as selected personally by the Princess herself. Food and beverages will include: chicken wings, chicken fingers, pizza, French fries, macaroni and cheese, a strawberry and chocolate punch fountain, and peppermint sprinkled cupcakes, among much more.

Call for help
Karlie’s world of make believe would not be coming true without the tremendous and generous support of the West Michigan community including: The Frauenthal Theatre, The Muskegon Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau, The Holiday Inn, Dobb Printing, Star 108, Dave Colley Quartet, Miss Michigan, Queen for a Day, Ryke’s Bakery and M&K creative designs, to name a few. But, we are seeking the assistance of area residents to come out and help.

In order to make Karlie truly feel like a princess for the day, we are asking members of the community to come to the Frauenthal Theatre (located at 425 West Western Avenue Muskegon, MI 49440) on Sunday, March 13 to give her a royal welcome. Those who wish to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime experience will be asked to cheer her on with jubilant shouts welcoming this special princess to her Coronation Ceremony. We are asking volunteers who wish to help greet “Princess Karlie” to be to The Frauenthal Theatre by 1:15 p.m. to ensure that everyone is in place for her

Grand Entrance at about 2 p.m. Following her arrival there will be a brief ceremony which is slated to conclude at about 3 p.m.

In the interest of Karlie’s time, media are welcome to join the party but formal media interviews will be conducted at the Holiday Inn from about 3:10 to 3:30 p.m. A Make-A-Wish representative will be onsite to assist with media registration and coordination of media interviews.

Celebrating 20 years of making magic, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan is a chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America, the largest wish granting organization in the world. Since its inception in 1984, the Michigan chapter has granted wishes to nearly 4,300 children and their families. The Foundation has offices in Grand Rapids, Lansing, and Livonia and more than 80% of its expenditures are directly related to program services. To learn more about the Foundation, call 888-857-WISH or visit the newly redesigned website at www.wishmich.org.

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