In an exclusive statement made to Breitbart News on Thursday, Dan Buck, Vice President of Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation, thanked Breitbart News for the role its reporting played in ESPN’s reversal on Thursday of its initial decision to reject a Foundation ad that mentioned “God” and “Jesus.”
“We would like to thank all of those in the media, including Breitbart News, who stood up for faith and for the sick and injured children that we serve every day at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center,” Buck said in an emailed statement. “Thanks to their help, ESPN reversed their decision and our Tree of Hope spot will air as we had originally requested.”
Sherlyn Hailstone, President of SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation, learned of ESPN’s reversal moments before she held a press conference Thursday afternoon.
At the press conference, Ms. Hailstone said “the commercial in question is for our 2013 Tree of Hope campaign, submitted by our wonderful partner, the Missouri Valley Conference to air this coming Saturday during a basketball game on ESPNU.
“The ad was meant to connect with viewers during this holiday season and encourage them to send a message of hope to the sick children and their families at Cardinal Glennon as part of our Tree of Hope campaign.”
Ms. Hailstone noted that “ESPN rejected our ad on the basis of religious advocacy. While we respect their right to make this decision we were extremely disappointed. However, we just learned moments ago that ESPN has posted to their website a change in position. We are pleased to hear the news and appreciate all the support we’ve received from across America.”
The original commercial, which mentions “God” and “Jesus” will now air on ESPNU during Saturday’s NCAA Basketball game between Northern Iowa and Virginia Commonwealth University.
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