Tuesday, April 18, 2006

EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION Heads to Philadelphia For Three Orphaned Grandchildren

EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION Provides A Home For Two Extraordinary Grandparents Who Are Raising Their Orphaned Grandchildren

Philadelphia Eagle Jeremiah Trotter and 76′er Chris Webber Bring on Their Game to the Design Team

Plus Singer Vanessa Carlton Performs at a Special Breast Cancer Awareness Fundraising Concert

"Py Family" - Loving and devoted grandparents William and Carole Py of Philadelphia, PA, and three orphaned grandchildren who were left in their care after their parents died, will receive a beautiful and renovated home in a remarkable seven days thanks to EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION, on two back-to-back episodes airing Sunday, April 30 (7:00-8:00 and 8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on ABC.

Having raised four girls of their own and put each through college, 60-year-old "Grandpop" William Py and his 57-year-old wife, "Grandma" Carole, were looking forward to retirement. But life had something else in store for them. In l997 Grandpop and Grandma, a couple who enjoyed spoiling their grandkids but who also liked the idea that they could send the children home to their own parents after fun visits, would have their lives shattered by the first of two tragedies that would befall this closely-knit family. In July of that year, their son-in-law, Josi Rosario, 33, died unexpectedly of a brain aneurysm. Josi left behind his wife, Sharon Py Rosario, a breast cancer survivor, and three young children, William, Samantha and Josi, or "Joey."

Devastated by their loss, Sharon and her children returned home to be with her parents, Grandpop and Grandma, who welcomed them with open, loving arms. Not long after, though, Sharon discovered that her breast cancer was back. Only 14 months after losing her husband, 28-year-old Sharon lost her own life. Her children were suddenly orphans.

Grandpop and Grandma Py were not about to turn their backs on their grandkids. The hard-working couple -- who had often wondered how they would be able to live a financially comfortable life of retirement before the added responsibilities that caring for their orphaned grandkids would bring -- faced the harsh reality that things would be even tougher as they headed into the future.

Complicating matters was the discovery that their house was contaminated by asbestos and lead. Realizing that both can cause severe medical problems, Grandpop and Grandma Py wondered and worried how they might find the money needed to rid their house of these hazards.

In this episode of EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION, the design team will help this loving family have the safe and beautiful home they so richly deserve. And, while we know Philly native Paul DiMeo and the designers can "bring it" on the construction build, can they hold their own against Philadelphia Eagle Jeremiah Trotter and 76′er Chris Webber? Plus Pennsylvania native and singer Vanessa Carlton performs at a special breast cancer awareness fundraising concert.

While the EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION design team, local builder Dewey Companies of Wayne, PA, contractors and hundreds of workers and volunteers are transforming the Py house into a dream home, the Pys will go on vacation in Florida.

The design team for this episode will feature team leader Ty Pennington, Paul DiMeo, Preston Sharp, Paige Hemmis and Daniel Kucan.