Surrounded by friends, family and supporters, Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Center patient, Jacob, carries the torch across the finish line at the 29th Annual Torch Run.
Hundreds of current and former pediatric cancer and blood disorder patients from Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Center at Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach crossed the finish line at the Champions Run for Life, “Torch Run.” Surrounded by their families, physicians and supporters, all attendees were united with a common goal in support and in memory of those who lost their fight against these childhood diseases. On Saturday, June 14, Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Center (JJCCC) held its 29th Annual Champions Run for Life, “Torch Run” and raised more than $300,000 to support comprehensive care, research and support programs for more than 800 children treated at JJCCC each year.
The scene was inspirational and uplifting with ecstatic cheering from supportive onlookers. The day-long event consisted of a relay race in which JJCCC “champions” carried a torch – a symbol of hope – for a cure as they walked, ran, wheeled or were carried and passed the torch to the next “champion,” together getting one step closer to the finish line. The long-running event will help hundreds of children with cancer, sickle cell disease and other serious blood disorders being treated at JJCCC.
“The Torch Run is an event our families, patients and care teams look forward to each and every year,” says Amanda Termuhlen, M.D., medical director, Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Center, Miller Children’s. “The Torch Run gives our extended families a chance to come together on one day, in one location and celebrate our journeys together.”
Donations from the Torch Run support new, innovative treatments for JJCCC patients, crucial supportive care programs for their families and expand clinical research efforts. Future generations and their families continue to benefit from this event, since proceeds benefit support program for patients and families, as well as current and future research initiatives at JJCCC.
Event supporters, Ralphs® and Food 4 Less®, provided an activity area for children to decorate cookies and get their face painted.
Alexis Ortiz (bottom right), acute lymphoblastic leukemia survivor who just completed her last round of chemotherapy, was grinning ear-to-ear as she set off on her lap around the track hand-in-hand with her mother, Barbara, and surrounded by her family, friends and supporters.
JJCCC patient, Yanzi, holds the torch up high as she runs toward her goal.