CNN to raise awareness for Fisher House program

CNN Worldwide puts the spotlight on the on-going needs of the Fisher House Foundation this Memorial Day weekend, airing news reports on its networks and services as well as promotions to encourage its audiences to donate their frequent flyer airline miles to the Fisher House's "Hero Miles" program.

Airlines participating in the foundation's "Hero Miles" program have agreed to match donations made from 6 a.m. ET Friday through 11:59 p.m. ET Monday, May 28. Those who wish to donate miles should visit the Fisher House Web site at www.fisherhouse.org.

The Fisher House provides temporary residence for families of patients receiving major medical care at military and Veterans Affairs medical centers. The foundation's "Hero Miles" program is comprised of airlines whose passengers donate frequent flyer miles to assist service members and their families. Ten major airlines participate in this program: AirTran Airways, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, Midwest Airlines, Northwest Airlines, United Airlines and US Airways.

"As part of our ongoing relationship with the Fisher House Foundation, CNN is pleased to support once again Fisher House's honorable mission aiding military service personnel and their families as they receive medical care and rehabilitative treatment," said Jim Walton, president of CNN Worldwide. "The donation of airline miles -- and the generosity of the airlines to match them over the Memorial Day weekend -- goes a long way to help those who sacrifice so much."

"Fisher House Foundation is honored to have the major U. S. airlines as its partners in the 'Hero Miles' program," said Ken Fisher, chairman of the Fisher House Foundation. "The program is now 3 1/2 years old, and through the generosity of the airlines and their passengers who donate their frequent flyer miles, we have been able to provide more than 9,500 free airline tickets to wounded service members and their families, saving them $12 million over the cost of comparable air travel. The "Hero Miles" program will benefit from the increased visibility and support from CNN and their viewers."

Earlier this year, CNN auctioned off a refurbished Hummer raising $1.25 million for the Fisher House Foundation. Nicknamed "Warrior One," the Hummer was the subject of an episode of Overhaulin', a highly rated program on TLC this past fall. It toured military bases and Fisher Houses and appeared at military events across the country until it arrived in Scottsdale, Ariz., for the Barrett Jackson Classic Car Auction, one of the premier car auctions in the world.

Since its founding in 1990, the Fisher House has offered more than 2 million days of lodging to more than 100,000 families. Presently, the organization operates 37 homes and will open a new home in Tampa, Fla. in the weeks ahead. It also has announced plans for homes in Dallas, Richmond, Va., Seattle, West Roxbury, Mass., and second homes in San Diego and Minneapolis.

CNN Worldwide, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, is one of the world's most respected and trusted sources for news and information. Its reach extends to nine cable and satellite television networks; one private place-based network; two radio networks; wireless devices around the world; four Web sites, including CNN.com, the first major news and information Web site; CNN Pipeline, CNN.com's premium live video news service; CNN Newsource, the world's most extensively syndicated news service; and partnerships for four television networks and two Web sites.