SF Fire and Police Chiefs to represent UCSF Children's Hospital at Macy's Union Square Tree-Lighting
Macy’s Union Square invites everyone to join in the 16th annual ceremony to light the holiday tree at San Francisco’s Union Square at 6:00 pm on Friday, November 25, the day after Thanksgiving.
Macy’s “gift to the City,” the 80-foot tall tree is decorated with 12,000 twinkling lights and 1,500 red and gold ornaments. Santa Claus will lead thousands of revelers in the countdown before he throws the switch to light both the tree and the giant wreath on Macy’s Geary Street façade, illuminating the entire Square. The event is free.
For the third year, Macy’s West has named UCSF Children’s Hospital as the beneficiary of its holiday tree. Members of the public are invited to participate by sponsoring a light or a string of lights on the tree at $10 a bulb. Last year, light sales raised around $115,000. Every donation goes entirely to UCSF Children’s Hospital programs for children and their families.
San Francisco Police Chief Heather Fong and San Francisco Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White will represent UCSF Children’s Hospital at the November 25 ceremony. Christopher Laub, a young boy from Tiburon who is being treated for leukemia at UCSF Children’s Hospital, will also be on hand to thank Macy’s and the public for supporting young patients and their families.
* TICKETS TO SPONSOR LIGHTS can be purchased throughout the holiday season:
—At Macy’s tree-lighting ceremony in Union Square on November 25—Through December 24 at UCSF gift shops at 505 Parnassus Avenue and 1600 Divisadero Street.
—Through December 24 online at Tree or at 888/689-UCSF.
* SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN WITH LIFE-THREATENING ILLNESSES. All proceeds from the Macy’s Union Square-UCSF Children’s Hospital fundraiser go to specialized programs that provide the very best in both medical care and essential emotional and spiritual support at the most difficult time for a family - when a child is faced with a life-threatening illness. This year’s event raises funds for the hospital’s Pediatric Palliative Care Program, which assists dying children and their loved ones.
UCSF Children’s Hospital has been named one of the best pediatric programs in California by U.S. News and World Report. The 180-bed hospital, with staff and doctors from all specialties dedicated to children’s care, is located within UCSF Medical Center. With a 92-year tradition of care for children with complex and serious illness and a history of pioneering advances for premature infants, congenital heart defects, children’s transplants and more, its staff serves children and their families from San Francisco and all of Northern California.
* COMMUNITY SUPPORT INSPIRED BY MACY’S AND UCSF CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL. Volunteers from UCSF are being joined in ticket sales this year by members of the San Francisco Police Officer’s Association, the Department of Parking and Traffic, and the San Francisco Deputy Sheriff’s Association. Corporate and foundation sponsors have generously contributed underwriting to the event, including GE Medical Systems, All Stars Helping Kids and Cardinal Health.
Macy’s West is a division of Federated, which is headquartered in San Francisco and operates 144 stores in seven states and Guam with annual sales of more than $4 billion. With a long tradition of giving back, Macy’s is committed to supporting healthier and more vibrant communities and better environments for employees and customers to live and work.
* UCSF: UCSF is a leading university that consistently defines health care worldwide by conducing advanced biomedical research, educating graduate students in the life sciences, and providing complex patient care.
EDITORS: Contact UCSF News Services at (415) 476-2557