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EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION
Air Date: Sunday, October 22, 2006
Time Slot: 8:00 PM-9:00 PM EST on ABC
Episode Title: (#326) "Arena Family" (Repeat)
[NOTE: The following article is a press release issued by the aforementioned network and/or company. Any errors, typos, etc. are attributed to the original author. The release is reproduced solely for the dissemination of the enclosed information.]

�EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION� GRANTS A NEW LEASE ON LIFE TO THE GRIEVING PARENTS OF A GALLANT LITTLE BOY WHOSE LIFE AND DEATH TOUCHED THE HEARTS OF EVERYONE IN THEIR COMMUNITY

NY Yankee Jorge Posada Donates an Item for the Home and Singer Jewel Performs at a Memorial

�Arena Family� -- Jim and Gina Arena of Somers, NY, the loving parents of �Jimboy,� their only son, whose life and death touched the hearts of everyone in their community, received the remarkable news that they will receive a beautiful and renovated home in just seven days courtesy of �Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.� The episode will air SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on ABC (Rebroadcast. OAD 5/14/06).

Jimmy �Jimboy� Arena changed an entire community forever. Diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor at five years of age, Jimboy stayed strong. He inspired hundreds of neighbors, community members, several fire departments, officials and his own family with his infectious smile and spirit. Everyone in town knew Jimboy and prayed for him. They held fundraisers, birthday parties and even a parade to welcome him home from the hospital. But on September 28, 2005, shortly after his sixth birthday, Jimboy died and the Arena Family lost their only son.

Jim and Gina had set out to do whatever they could to help their little boy battle his illness. What little money they had saved over the years -- funds that were earmarked for several sorely needed repairs on the Arenas� dilapidated house -- were put to far more necessary purposes. The money was used so they could travel with Jimboy to give him a second chance at life by seeking experimental medical treatments around the country.

Now the same community which supported Jimboy wants to pay tribute to him and help his family fix their broken home. A large Italian clan, the Arenas can�t even enjoy a dinner together, though mom loves to cook. Their small house has seen its share of wear and tear from the kids and is literally falling apart and bursting at the seams! With SIX daughters and one bathroom, the Arenas are in desperate need of bigger and better facilities.

In this episode of �Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,� we learn how one little boy changed the lives of hundreds, as Ty, the design team, local builder Alure Home Improvement and volunteers help Jimboy�s family get back on their feet and into a better and more accommodating new home. While their new home is being built, the Arena family will go on vacation at Walt Disney World.

In addition, New York Yankee catcher Jorge Posada meets up with Ty to donate an item for the new home, and singer Jewel performs at a memorial for Jimboy.

The design team for this episode of �Extreme Makeover: Home Edition� will feature team leader Ty Pennington, Paul DiMeo, Ed Sanders, Paige Hemmis and Daniel Kucan.

The series is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. It is executive-produced by Tom Forman and co-executive produced by Denise Cramsey and Mike Maloy. David Goldberg is the president of Endemol USA.

�Extreme Makeover: Home Edition� is broadcast with Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning. This program carries a TV-PG parental guideline.

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