More than 45 celebrities starring in children’s television shows and movies joined 280 children with cancer, sickle cell disease, and other serious blood disorders this past Saturday as they ran, walked, wheeled, or were carried in a relay — passing an Olympic-style torch to raise funds for the Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Center (JJCCC) at Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach. This year, more than $350,000 was raised for the hospital.
The annual Champions Run for Life event, known as the “Torch Run,” has been a way for patients to celebrate another year won in the fight against cancer and other blood disorders, and for families to remember loved ones lost. The run, which took place this year at the Long Beach Rainbow Harbor Esplanade, adjacent to the Long Beach Aquarium, celebrated its 27th year of existence. Children pass an Olympic-style torch and are given a medal as they complete their laps. This event is unique from other walks in that sponsors do more than write a check — they get to walk or run in a group with their sponsored patient, making every step personal.
Celebrity appearances included Lucas Neff from Raising Hope, Doug Brochu and Damien Haas of Disney’s So Random, Kaitlyn Jenkins of new series Bunheads, Walter Perez from Fame, Brandon Tyler Russell from Smitty, and Debra Wilson of MadTV, the Laker Girls, and Miss Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.