Hasbro creates charity action figure

By Staff -- Playthings, 7/24/2007 7:35:00 AM

Pawtucket, R.I.—Just in time for the San Diego Comic-Con this week, Hasbro and Lucasfilm have created a limited-edition Star Wars action figure to honor Katie Johnson, a 7-year-old Star Wars fan who died from brain cancer in 2005.

The new figure, R2-KT, resembles a pink and white version of R2-D2 and will retail for $9.99 at Hasbro's booth and the StarWarsShop. A small inventory will also be offered for sale online through HasbroToyShop.com and StarWarsShop.com following Comic-Con. All proceeds will go directly to the Make-A-Wish Foundations of San Diego and South Carolina.

Katie Johnson's father, Albin Johnson, is the founder of the 501st Legion, the Star Wars costuming fan club that performs charity work around the world. R2-KT (named "KT" after Katie), was first created in 2005 as a life-size astromech droid by another fan group, the R2-D2 Builders Club.

Hasbro and Lucasfilm together decided to go forward with the special edition 3-3/4" R2-KT figure in Katie's honor. "Katie's story touched us all, and we are very proud to be involved in a project that will help raise awareness for the Make-A-Wish Foundation so many more wishes may be granted to children like Katie," says Derryl DePriest, marketing director for Star Wars toys at Hasbro.

Derek Stothard, Lucasfilm's director of toys, adds, "The Make-A-Wish Foundation has long been a favorite charity of the 501st and Lucasfilm, and they granted Katie a fantastic wish before she died, so we are especially proud to be associated with Hasbro in this great endeavor."

The full-size version of the droid will be on hand for fans San Diego, along with Albin Johnson and Katie's sister Allie. To find out more about the R2-KT project, visit www.r2kt.com.

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