By Michael Ferraresi
GCU News Bureau
A non-profit dedicated to fighting childhood cancer accepted a GCU check for $40,000 on Friday at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
The funding for Children’s Cancer Network came through thousands of visitors and donors to the GCU Run to Fight Children’s Cancer, which the University hosted on campus March 10. The spring 5K and 10K races raised a comparable amount to the inaugural October event.
Children’s Cancer Network founder Patti Luttrell accepted the check with her son, Jeff, 23, who survived childhood leukemia and multiple cancer recurrences. The non-profit helps low-income families cope with the seemingly endless medical bills and other expenses parents deal with in their fight against a childhood cancer diagnosis.
GCU Community Outreach Manager Jose Moreno presented Luttrell with the check at the hospital. They were joined by 6-year-old Grace Kostyk, this year’s honorary race starter, who is fighting acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
“Grand Canyon has allowed us to go to the next level with being able to reach more families,” said Luttrell, who works as a full-time assistant professor in GCU’s College of Nursing.
“It’s quite an honor to be chosen by them,” Luttrell said. “We just can’t thank them enough.”
Children’s Cancer Network recently surpassed $100,000 in funding, Luttrell said. This year, the organization hopes to expand its programs to reach more childhood cancer patients and their families.
Luttrell’s organization works with children at Phoenix Children’s Hospital and other metro Phoenix hospitals.
For more on Children’s Cancer Network, go to www.childrenscancernetwork.org.
Contact Michael Ferraresi at 639.7030 or [email protected].
