5th Annual MagicalNewsLive Enchanting Magic Fundraiser
Would you like to watch some phenomenal Walt Disney World streaming content today AND help a worthy charity?
Of course, you would! And I have the perfect stream for you!
What’s Happening?
On Sunday, November 20th, Nick Antonelle, aka MagicalNewsLive on YouTube and Twitter, will host his annual charity stream for the Vascular Birthmarks Foundation.
Nick was kind enough to give some of his time to MickeyBlog. He wanted to explain what VBF is and what his upcoming charity stream will do to support the cause.
MickeyBlog: Nick, this is your fourth year of running this event. Can you explain why it started and why the subject matter is so near and dear to your heart?
Nick Antonelle: I was born with a lymphatic malformation and VBF has helped me and my family a ton in finding the perfect doctors and surgeons.
Without their help, I’m not sure I would have had such an amazing outcome.
I feel very fortunate to have had their assistance so I want others in similar situations to know there is help available with VBF.
MickeyBlog: What would you like people to know about the Vascular Birthmarks Foundation?
Nick Antonelle: Vascular Birthmarks Foundation (www.birthmark.org) is an amazing nonprofit that helps children and families find treatment for vascular birthmarks.
If anyone has any family or friends with a vascular birthmark, they should reach out to VBF!
The founder, Dr. Linda Shannon, started VBF 28 years ago when her daughter was diagnosed with a hemangioma.
There was not a lot of information on birthmarks out at the time and much of what was out was misinformation.
Linda Shannon has devoted her life to helping other families in similar situations.
MickeyBlog: In doing previous charity streams, what has surprised you the most about people’s understanding of vascular birthmarks?
Nick Antonelle: In previous fundraisers, it has surprised me how many people have said they’ve had friends and family work alongside VBF.
Many people often join the chat saying they have worked with VBF in the past.
One out of ten babies is born with a vascular birthmark. That is an astounding number. Most require no medical treatment, but many do of course.
MickeyBlog: What else can people do to raise awareness?
Nick Antonelle: People can obviously donate or they can sign Vascular Birthmark Foundation’s Anti Bullying Pledge found on their website.
The pledge has many signatures from people vouching to be bully-free! This is important because people with vascular birthmarks often look different which leads to bullying, unfortunately.
MickeyBlog: Do you have anything special planned for the stream?
Nick Antonelle: We have a lot of things planned special just for this stream! We will attend Disney Very Merriest After Hours!
That’s Disney’s brand-new holiday event that happens after the park closes to the general public!
We’ll go on tons of rides, see characters, watch the new holiday parade and enjoy the fireworks!
MickeyBlog: How will people’s contributions be used?
Nick Antonelle: People’s contributions will further go towards funding research for vascular birthmarks and these donations help so much!
Additionally, they will help families attend clinics that they might not have been able to attend on their own. Providing this financial assistance to families in medical need is so important
MickeyBlog: Can you describe the impact this organization has had on the lives of you and your family?
Nick Antonelle: This organization has a special place in my heart and my families’.
VBF has helped find me the perfect treatment and it means more to us than they’ll ever know.
When I was born, my parents did a lot of research and found VBF and Linda Shannon.
They wanted to do as much for me as they could and were involved in many fundraisers – one being a Celebrity Spring Cleaning fundraiser.
My dad reached out to hundreds of celebrities and athletes asking them to donate something in their closet or home that they might otherwise throw away in a spring cleaning.
He received hundreds of items from some very famous celebrities and auctioned them off on eBay. My dad was on the Board of Directors for VBF while serving as Executive Vice President.
MickeyBlog: Is there anything you’d like to say to your community of followers?
Nick Antonelle: Thank you to everyone for their support. Whether it’s donating, sharing, following along. It means more than you know.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I never thought I’d have more than a few people watching my streams. I remember the first time I hit 10 viewers, a hundred viewers, and a thousand viewers equally well.
The magic of Disney is unlike anything else. I have become great friends with other streamers in the community and have learned so much about what it takes to be successful.
Some of my best friends are moderators in my channel. Thank you all for watching my streams – I’m forever grateful.
MickeyBlog: Is there anything else you’d like to discuss that we haven’t covered?
Nick Antonelle: Not really. I’m just looking forward to the stream and asking anyone who is able to join in on the fun. It is going to be an amazing day! Thanks so much for your help with this article!!
MickeyBlog thanks Nick Antonelle for his time and looks forward to this charitable stream on November 20th.
If you want to donate now, please feel free to do so at here. Join the stream at 12:00 PM EST on Sunday!
https://youtu.be/xjCPIG_9SWs
