Everything HAD to change after Palace Sports & Entertainment (PS&E), including the entire Detroit Pistons team (average height: 6’7”), hosted the Pistons Cares Telethon Benefiting Make-A-Wish – Michigan Chapter on Friday, March 14.

The 17-hour event raised more than $480,000 and gave PS&E an opportunity to grant 60 wishes for Michigan kids with life-threatening medical conditions. A check presentation is planned for halftime of tonight’s Nuggets vs. Pistons game.

“It never ceases to amaze me how our community -- and I’m speaking to the Pistons community of fans, partners, our staff -- comes together to support a cause,” said Tom Wilson, president and CEO of Palace Sports & Entertainment. “These are some very special kids and they are going through things no one should ever have to go through. It was remarkable to see how everyone came together for these kids and to think that we will be able to grant some of their wishes and make their lives a bit brighter, is truly inspiring. Across the board, we were humbled by their courage and honored that we were given an opportunity to make a difference.”

The entire Pistons community was involved in raising money for Make-A-Wish of Michigan: Guardian Industries (William Davidson’s flagship), the entire full- and part-time staffs at PS&E and fans who attended the game versus San Antonio on Friday night or made donations throughout the week.

“We are so thrilled with the wonderful success of the Pistons Cares Telethon,” said Susan Lerch, president of the Michigan Chapter of Make-A-Wish. “It really is a dream come true for Make-A-Wish of Michigan with our very own Detroit Pistons, community sponsors, media and Pistons' fans raising funds to grant 60 wishes for medically eligible Michigan kids. Wish kids and their loved ones face the devastation of a life-threatening medical condition and to know the Pistons organization cares this much about bringing hope and joy to Michigan wish kids is an incredible gift to these kids. We are so grateful to everyone that was involved with this unprecedented, joyful event.”

Pistons partners Rock Financial, AT&T, Big Boy Restaurants, Gatorade, Belle Tire, Marathon Oil, HAP, DMC, Chevrolet, Meijer, Anheuser-Busch, ABC Warehouse, Aetna, Bank of America, Bud Light, CDI, Coca-Cola, Comerica, Frank Rewold & Sons, Hunter Pasteur Homes, Majestic Athletics, Matick Chevrolet, McDonald’s, Medical Weight Loss, PK Contracting, POH Regional Medical Center, Pontiac, Powers, Sterling Bank & Trust, Sales Associates, Taco Bell and Flagstar Bank all contributed to the cause.

Entertainers including Jimmy Buffett, The Marshall Mathers Foundation, Kid Rock, Anita Baker, Bob Seger, Ted Nugent, The Police, Santana, concert promoters Live Nation and AEG Live all supported the event.

Local media also supported the Telethon including WCSX-FM, WKQI-FM, WYCD-FM, WDVD-FM, WWJ-AM, WXYT-AM, CIMX-FM, WRIF-FM, WHTD-FM, WCHB-FM and CIDR-FM, who broadcast live from The Palace throughout the day. All three local network television news affiliates - WJBK-TV2 , WDIV-TV4 and WXYZ-TV7 - provided coverage during the day and the entire game, including the Telethon, was broadcast on WDIV-TV4.

For more information regarding the Pistons Cares Telethon Benefiting Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan, please contact Director of Community Relations Dennis Sampier at (248) 371-2034 or visit www.pistons.com.