Local Teen Presents Line-up With Jerry Manuel At The 8th Annual Starlight Night At Citi Field

Online, June 22, 2010 (Newswire.com) - NEW YORK - Jamal Jervier, an 18 year old teen with severe scoliosis and asthma will receive the chance of a lifetime on June 23rd at the 8th Annual Starlight Night at Citi Field. As part of the event, Jamal will have the opportunity to walk onto Citi Field with Jerry Manuel, NY Mets manager to present the game line-up. Over 250 sick children who spend the majority of their lives in hospitals and clinics will attend the event and spend a fun night of food and baseball at Citi Field. The children will receive a special visit with Mr. Met before the game.
Jamal, who suffers from scoliosis, has been participating in Starlight's events and programs for the past 6 years. Throughout Jamal's childhood he had to wear a body brace and use an Asthma pump because he had a collapsed lung. When Jamal was 12 he had three surgeries on his back. During his second surgery he died on the table and doctor's brought him back to life.
For Jamal, and the other 250,000 seriously ill children that Starlight supports each year, childhood can be very difficult. They can feel alone and isolated. The Starlight Great Escapes program introduces children to other children with the same issues and provides them with outings and trips, such as Starlight Night at Citi Field to help them forget about their sicknesses.
For the past seven years, The Mets have partnered with ARAMARK to raise over $800,000 for the Starlight Children's Foundation. For the 2010 event, the Mets have donated more than 800 tickets and ARAMARK has donated food to each guest and set up an in-game snack area.
Aramark is the official sponsor of the event. Star Sponsors include University Sports Publications, Owl Creek Asset, Israel Berger & Associates, Cougar Trading LLC, and NYMEX Foundation. Sempra Commodities and Excel Global Security are the events supporting sponsors.
This event supports the mission of the Starlight Children's Foundation, which is making a world of difference for seriously ill children and their families throughout the tri-state area. Each year, Starlight serves over 275,000 critically, chronically, and terminally ill children throughout New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Starlight's goal is to help seriously ill children experience the simple joys of being a child.
For more information on this event or Starlight Children's foundation please visit www.starlight-newyork.org.

About Starlight Children's Foundation NY*NJ*CT
The Starlight Children's Foundation makes a world of difference for seriously ill children and their families. Since 1985, the NY*NJ*CT chapter has been offering hope and a brighter future for seriously ill children. The goal of the Starlight Children's Foundation is to help these children experience the simple joys of being a child. Each year, Starlight serves over 275,000 critically, chronically, and terminally ill children throughout New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Some of Starlight's most unique programs include Great Escapes, special outings for children and their families, STARBRIGHT World, a private online community for teens who are living with chronic diseases to connect, Hospital Happenings, including themed parties, toys, and visits from entertainers. For more information on the Starlight Children's Foundation of NY*NJ*CT, please log on to www.starlight-newyork.org.