ST. LOUIS, Feb. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2021,
Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE: BBW) hosted a Make-A-Wish® event for
Keegan, an 18-year-old wish kid whose wish was to partner with the
company to raise awareness for liver cancer. For his wish
experience, Keegan visited Build-A-Bear World Bearquarters in
St. Louis, MO to design his own
furry friend to help raise awareness for liver cancer.
Keegan began his day with Bear Builder Training and received the
first ever tour of Build-A-Bear's new World Bearquarters in
downtown St. Louis, MO. He then
worked with a senior product designer to design furry friend
concepts before pitching his ideas to Build-A-Bear senior
leadership, including CEO Sharon Price
John.
Designed by Keegan himself, Keegan's Wish Frog has
emerald green fur to match the liver cancer ribbon and a yellow
belly and eyes to represent the jaundice many liver cancer patients
experience. The frog also features the green liver cancer
awareness ribbon on its left paw pad and dark green 'liver spots'
along its back. The fabric was hand-picked by Keegan to resemble a
comforting blanket. "I wanted something that you can physically
have in your hand and that people can relate to my situation but
also can enjoy for themselves," Keegan said during his visit.
"We were so honored when we learned about Keegan's wish to
design a special furry friend with Build-A-Bear. To be a part of
someone's wish in such a significant and meaningful way meant so
much to our entire team," said Build-A-Bear Workshop President and
CEO, Sharon Price John. "Keegan's
designs were so creative and inspiring and spot-on in terms of what
our Guests love. As a Build-A-Bear fan, Keegan knew that frogs are
always a favorite, and I know Keegan's Wish Frog will be a beloved
addition to many collections! It was an honor to have him join the
Build-A-Bear family."
"We are so thankful for our partners at Build-A-Bear Workshop
for helping to bring Keegan's heartfelt and selfless wish to
fruition," said Caroline Schmidt,
President & CEO of Make-A-Wish Missouri & Kansas. "Keegan and his wish are an
inspiration to all of us and we are privileged to be able to
deliver on his vision of raising awareness for liver cancer. I know
his incredible spirit will radiate through this creation, providing
a legacy of everlasting hope for us all."
Keegan also designed two liver cancer awareness t-shirts to
accompany his Wish Frog. DeLIVER some love by dressing your
furry friend in a t-shirt featuring the green liver cancer
awareness ribbon. Or choose the "Storm clouds and 'liver'
linings" tee; the liver on this t-shirt includes a silver
lining as a symbol of hope for those impacted by liver cancer.
While most wish kids overcome their illnesses, Keegan lost his
battle with liver cancer—but not before he was able to see his
vision come to life. "For someone to find a little bit of hope or a
little bit of community by seeing this frog, really it's all about
connecting with that inner child," Keegan said when he made his
visit to the company's headquarters. "Making this wish—yes, it is
my wish and yes, it is about liver cancer awareness—but also making
it bigger than that. It's endlessly beautiful."
Keegan's wish has helped to create a legacy of everlasting hope
for children with critical illnesses. In honor of Keegan's Wish
Frog and his Make-A-Wish experience, Build-A-Bear Foundation
donated $15,000 to the UPMC Liver
Cancer Center in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania.
Product images can be found here.
For more information about Build-A-Bear Workshop furry friends,
gifts, events and deals, visit buildabear.com, and follow the brand
on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Twitter.
ABOUT BUILD-A-BEAR WORKSHOP, INC. (NYSE:
BBW)
Build-A-Bear is a multi-generational global brand
focused on its mission to "add a little more heart to life"
appealing to a wide array of consumer groups who enjoy the personal
expression in making their own "furry friends" to celebrate and
commemorate life moments. Nearly 500 interactive brick-and-mortar
retail locations operated through a variety of formats provide
guests of all ages a hands-on entertaining experience, which often
fosters a lasting and emotional brand connection. The company also
offers engaging e-commerce/digital purchasing experiences on
www.buildabear.com including its online "Bear-Builder" as well as
the new "Bear Builder 3D Workshop". In addition, extending its
brand power beyond retail, Build-A-Bear Entertainment, a subsidiary
of Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc., is dedicated to creating engaging
content for kids and adults that fulfills the company's mission,
while the company also offers products at wholesale and in
non-plush consumer categories via licensing agreements with leading
manufacturers. For more information, visit the Investor Relations
section of buildabear.com.
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/de-liver-some-love-with-keegans-wish-frog-from-build-a-bear-301482121.html
SOURCE Build-A-Bear Workshop