Grand Canyon University Foundation’s fourth annual Run to Fight Children's Cancer raised $100,000, bringing the total proceeds from the race to date to nearly $300,000.
The funds will be awarded to the event’s local beneficiaries – Children’s Cancer Network and Phoenix Children’s Hospital – to help Arizona families grappling with cancer. Funds provide support for families through many avenues, from research and counseling to scholarships and gas cards.
“Since 2011, we’ve been blessed with the opportunity to bring the community together to rally around such a worthy cause,” said Sussely Morales, race director for GCU’s run. “It’s exciting that this event continues to grow, and it’s inspiring that we received such an outpouring of support, enabling us to meet our fundraising goal.”
The Run to Fight Children’s Cancer, dedicated solely to pediatric cancer, is the largest race of its kind in Arizona. This year’s festival-style event, held on March 8 on the GCU campus, featured a 10K run, a 5K run/walk and a special quarter-mile Cancer Survivors’ Walk. It attracted a record 3,150 registrants, along with several thousand additional visitors who were on campus to support the participants.
Jack Welch, 6, of Chandler, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the summer of 2011, served as the honorary race starter. He was joined by a host of other local survivors dressed in gold “Cancer-Fighting Superhero” capes to signify their fight against the disease.
“It’s inspiring to see the children who have endured this fight so eager to help others and to handle it with such grace.” Morales said.
The race shines a light on one of the most overlooked and underfunded areas of the disease. Each year, approximately 350 children are diagnosed with cancer in Arizona, according to the Children’s Cancer Network.
Next year’s Run to Fight Children’s Cancer is scheduled to be held on the GCU campus on March 7.
