Macy’s Union Square invites everyone to join in the 15th annual ceremony to light the holiday tree at San Francisco’s Union Square at 6:00 pm on Friday, November 26, the day after Thanksgiving

Macy’s “gift to the City,” the 80-foot tall tree is decorated with 12,000 twinkling lights and 1,500 red and gold ornaments. Santa Claus will lead thousands of revelers in the countdown before he throws the switch to light both the tree and the giant wreath on Macy’s Geary Street façade, illuminating the entire Square. The event is free.

For the second year, Macy’s West has named UCSF Children’s Hospital as the beneficiary of its holiday tree. Members of the public are invited to participate by sponsoring a light or a string of lights on the tree at $10 a bulb. Last year, light sales raised nearly $100,000. Every donation goes entirely to UCSF Children’s Hospital programs for children and their families.

• KIMBERLY GUILFOYLE NEWSOM will represent UCSF Children’s Hospital at the November 26 ceremony. Standing with children who have recovered from serious illness and received care at UCSF, she will thank Macy’s and the public for supporting young patients and their families. Guilfoyle Newsom is a San Francisco native and active community volunteer, a Court TV anchor and a noted legal analyst for CNN and ABC. As the wife of Mayor Gavin Newsom, she is the First Lady of San Francisco.
• TICKETS TO SPONSOR LIGHTS can be purchased throughout the holiday season:
  • At Macy’s tree-lighting ceremony in Union Square on November 26
  • At Macy’s San Francisco Holiday Lane, 48 Stockton Street near Union Square between 1:00 and 8:00 p.m. on November 26
  • Through December 24 at UCSF gift shops at 505 Parnassus Avenue and 1600 Divisadero Street.
  • Through December 24 online at http://www.ucsfhealth.org/tree or at (888) 689-UCSF.
• SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN WITH LIFE-THREATENING ILLNESSES. All proceeds from the Macy’s Union Square-UCSF Children’s Hospital fundraiser go to specialized programs that provide the very best in both medical care and essential emotional and spiritual support at the most difficult time for a family—when a child is faced with a life-threatening illness. Last year’s event raised funds for the hospital’s Pediatric Palliative Care Program, which assists dying children and their loved ones.

UCSF Children’s Hospital has been named the best pediatric program in California by U.S. News and World Report. The 180-bed hospital, with staff and doctors from all specialties dedicated to children’s care, is located within UCSF Medical Center. With a 91-year tradition of care for children with complex and serious illness and a history of pioneering advances for premature infants, congenital heart defects, children’s transplants and more, its staff serves children and their families from San Francisco and all of Northern California.

## Community Support Inspired by Macy’s and UCSF Children’s Hospital

Volunteers from UCSF are being joined in ticket sales this year by members of the San Francisco Police Officer’s Association, the Department of Parking and Traffic, and the San Francisco Deputy Sheriff’s Association. Corporate and foundation sponsors have generously contributed underwriting to the event, including GE Medical Systems, All Stars Helping Kids and Cardinal Health.

Macy’s West is a division of Federated, which is headquartered in San Francisco and operates 144 stores in seven states and Guam with annual sales of more than $4 billion. With a long tradition of giving back, Macy’s is committed to supporting healthier and more vibrant communities and better environments for employees and customers to live and work.

EDITORS: Contact UCSF News Services at (415) 476-2557