May 21, 2008

Dreamnight at the Vancouver Aquarium
connects young patients and marine life

Vancouver, BC: Last night the Vancouver Aquarium hosted its sixth Dreamnight, a special evening where over 320 children with life threatening illnesses and their families could spend time with an amazing array of marine creatures.

All visitors were able to see special beluga whale and dolphin shows, plus performances from children’s entertainers Bobs and Lolo and the

Arts Umbrella Dancers.  In addition, lots of fun was provided by diver interaction, colorful face painting, touch pools, crafts, magic shows

and more!  And, for the first time, the Aquarium’s wet lab activities were part of Dreamnight.

Vancouver Aquarium staff and volunteers donate their time to keep the Aquarium open late so these children and their families can have

a special and unforgettable experience.  Here’s one account of Dreamnight from an Aquarium staff member:

‘Our volunteer divers were supposed to be in the water for 45 minutes. When they finally surfaced, complaining of hands that no longer worked properly due to the cold, they explained that each time they were about to come up, another child would come up to the glass, eyes as big as saucers, and want to 'high 5' the diver. Somehow their hands weren't so cold all of a sudden.’

Dreamnight offers an amazing experience to patients of BC Children’s Hospital, Sunny Hill Health Centre, Canuck Place, Ronald McDonald House, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Children’s Wish Foundation and Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation.  A special thank you

to McDonald’s, Arcprint, HBC and Canucks for Kids.

The Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre is a self-supporting, non-profit association dedicated to effecting the conservation of

aquatic life through display and interpretation, conservation practices, education, research, and direct action.

For more information, please visit www.vanaqua.org

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Media contact:

Kent Hurl

Public Relations, Vancouver Aquarium
604.659.3752

Kent.Hurl@vanaqua.org