My Twinn helps Jessica make Her Wish Come True

My Twinn helps Jessica make Her Wish Come True
by Laurie Lips

SEPTEMBER 2000

Jessica Sullivan, 9, had her wish come true Wednesday, August 23, 2000, when she visited the My Twinn doll workshop with her parents, Debbie and Jerome; and her brothers, Timothy, 7, and Andersson, 5.

About 15 months ago, Jessica's parents discovered a lump in her side while giving her a bath. It turned out to be a form of kidney cancer called Wilm's Tumor. She underwent two surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation treatment-she is now in remission. During her ordeal, her doll "JT" or "Jessica Two" created by the My Twinn factory and given to her as a gift, was constantly by her side.

When Jessica was presented with the opportunity to have her wish granted through the Make-A-Wish foundation, a nonprofit organization that grants wishes to children who are facing life-threatening diseases, she decided that she wanted to visit the Englewood birthplace of JT, a doll created as her twin, down to the freckles on her nose.

The Make A Wish Foundation said that over 60 percent of Wish Children usually choose Disneyland or Walt Disney World, while others have chosen a stay at a dude ranch or a visit with their favorite movie star. Jessica was the first wish child to choose a visit to the My Twinn facilities.

Once her wish was made, wish granters and My Twinn workers got busy. My Twinn delivered a giant five-foot card to her doorstep by special UPS delivery 11 days before her arrival in Denver. All the employees of My Twinn signed the hand painted caricature card, letting Jessica know of the excitement that her wish had generated. Jessica and her family traveled from Grand Rapids, Michigan to visit the factory, arriving at Denver International Airport on Tuesday evening. A limousine picked them up Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. and delivered them to the factory at 3231 South Platte River Drive.

Owners and managers of My Twinn were there to give Jessica the red carpet treatment. So was Englewood Mayor Tom Burns, who greeted her with a special street made for her, bearing the Englewood logo and the words, "Jessica Lane 8/2000." Special gifts, plus the tour of the factory, and even time to work on a few sample dolls, were all part of the agenda. Victor Dawson, vice president and overall general manager of the My Twinn Company, was on hand to welcome and escort Jessica and her family through the factory.

"It is an honor to welcome and open up our hearts to Jessica," said Dawson. "Our company is known for making children happy and giving a child a special friend for home and play. Our employees take great pride in being a part of children's lives." My Twinn "doctors" spruced up JT, and made her another special

"My Twinn" doll, "JTH" or "Jessica Three." Jessica chose the eye color (hazel), the hair color and length (short and blonde), and the clothes-she received a matching outfit. She and her two twins later took off to a Colorado Rockies game.

"It is the hope of My Twinn that her special child look alike doll will continue to be her best friend for many years to come," Dawson said. A special signed, autographed Bronco shirt from John Elway was also presented to Jessica, as My Twinn learned that another one of her loves was the Denver Broncos.

My Twinn produces the classic My Twinn doll. The 23-inch doll starts with a basic choice of face mold, and then is customized with various components to make the doll a "Twinn" of the child. Purchasers of a doll submit a Personal Profile, along with pictures and a hair sample. Hair color, eye color, moles and freckles, style of hair, and choice of clothing all are completed on the profile to help artisans create a doll to resemble the child. In addition to making the "one of a kind" doll, parents can also choose matching outfits for child and doll, plus other pre-made dolls, and various accessory items.

My Twinn is a busy workshop year around making dolls for birthdays, confirmations, weddings, and special occasions, but especially busy for the Christmas and Hannukah season, when boys and girls alike can receive dolls that resemble them. Dolls can also be personalized for teenagers and grandmothers, as a remembrance of younger years.

In addition to the My Twinn doll, there are My Twinn Babies, cuddly sisters, Loveable Sisters, and My Friend dolls to choose from. The My Friend dolls are "one of a kind" dolls already made that can be bought only through their Internet site. Accessories can also be bought through the site. They have a quick turn around, but customers are advised to get catalogs and order early before the busy holiday rush! A My Twinn custom baby takes an average of four to six weeks for delivery. For more information regarding Make-A-Wish, call (303) 750-9474.

For info regarding My Twinn , call 1-800-My-Twinn or check their website at www.mytwinn.com.

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