Disney and ESPN Announce $750,000 Grant to Connecticut Children's Medical Center Foundation

Donation Expands Hospital's Pediatric Transport Program and Develops New Ambulatory Surgery Center

Disney and ESPN announced today a pledge of $750,000 to the Connecticut Children's Medical Center Foundation. The grant will expand the facility's pediatric transport system with a fully-outfitted pediatric and neonatal intensive care ambulance. The donation will also support construction of a 17,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art ambulatory surgery center in Farmington, Conn., which will improve critical care for pediatric and neonatal patients throughout the region.

Martha Schall, president, Connecticut Children's Medical Center Foundation: "This gift from ESPN and Disney truly defines their commitment to children, families and the community as a whole. Connecticut Children's is acclaimed for our leadership in offering one-of-a-kind pediatric care in our state. We can't thank ESPN and Disney enough for enabling us to expand that care to more children and families in need."

Kevin Martinez, vice president, corporate outreach at ESPN: "The Connecticut Children's Medical Center provides life-saving care to children and families right here in our own backyard. This investment from ESPN and Disney will serve those most in need of urgent care, further cementing our region as a great and caring place for families to live."

Disney's and ESPN's donation builds upon a long history of support of children's hospitals and comfort to kids and families dealing with hospitalization. Each year, Disney grants over 8,000 wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses and donates care packages to over 600 hospitals around the world, filled with toys, books and DVDs.

About Team ESPN:

Team ESPN, the corporate outreach program of ESPN, encompasses ESPN's multi-faceted initiatives, including volunteerism, corporate giving and cause marketing, while also utilizing its diverse media assets. Through Team ESPN, ESPN employees and fans join together to make a difference in the communities in which ESPN works. Its slogan is "Fans Helping Fans."(R)

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international entertainment and media enterprise with five business segments: media networks, parks and resorts, studio entertainment, consumer products and interactive media. Being a good corporate citizen is a time-honored Disney tradition. Through contributions, collaborations with local organizations, in-kind gifts and volunteering, Disney helps to brighten the lives of kids and families in need and strengthen communities around the world. In 2012, the Company donated more than $292 million in cash, in-kind support and products, and Disney VoluntEARS gave over 586,000 hours of service.

About Connecticut Children's Medical Center:

Connecticut Children's Medical Center is a nationally recognized, 187-bed not-for-profit children's hospital serving as the primary teaching hospital for the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. Named among the best in the nation for several of its pediatric specialties in the annual U.S. News & World Report "Best Children's Hospitals" rankings, Connecticut Children's is the only free-standing children's hospital in Connecticut that offers comprehensive, world-class health care to children. Our pediatric services are available at Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Hartford and at Saint Mary's Hospital in Waterbury, with neonatal intensive care units at Hartford Hospital and the University of Connecticut Health Center, along with five specialty care centers and 10 other locations across the state. Connecticut Children's has a medical staff of nearly 1,100 practicing in more than 30 specialties.