This post contains affiliate links and our team will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on the links.
CHOC Children’s and Disneyland Resort, two beloved Southern California icons devoted to the happiness and well being of children, will come together on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015 to present the heart-warming annual CHOC “Walk in the Park.” This year’s event is all the more special as CHOC “Walk in the Park” commemorates its 25th silver anniversary against the sparkling backdrop of the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration.
CHOC “Walk in the Park,” presented by the Disneyland Resort, is the largest and most unique single pediatric walk event in the nation. Among the event’s estimated 15,000 walkers are participants from across the U.S. and around the world, including Canada, Mexico, Australia and Japan.
Reaching this year’s goal of $2.5 million will represent a cumulative sum of $25 million raised since the Walk’s inception in 1990. Money generated by the Walk supports a variety of patient and family programs, as well as education, research, and the development and adoption of the latest technologies to advance the health of CHOC patients.
The 2015 Walk covers three miles through Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park where “CHOC walkers” get a special peek at the magic of the Disneyland Resort before the parks open to the general public. At the end of the 5k walk, the event continues in the resort’s Downtown Disney District where event sponsors, hospital support groups, shops and restaurants have special offers for participants.
Love, joy, gratitude and remembrance will fill Main Street, U.S.A as Walk participants celebrate the lives of children saved by CHOC Children’s, and honor the memory of those children who bravely lost their battles against serious diseases or illnesses. Nearly 1,000 teams are expected, and include current and former patients and families, as well as doctors, nurses and other medical professionals.
Another way for people to support the event is to register for the Walk as a “Sleeping Bear.” A nod to CHOC’s mascot, Choco, this special designation allows CHOC supporters who cannot make it on Walk day to still raise money and support CHOC Children’s. “Sleeping Bears” receive a CHOC Walk T-shirt and are eligible to earn prizes from their fundraising efforts. Information on how to become a “Sleeping Bear” can be found on the CHOC “Walk in the Park” homepage under “Register.”
“I want to thank everyone who has helped to make CHOC Walk such a beloved and highly anticipated annual event over the past 25 years,” said Kimberly Chavalas Cripe, president and CEO, CHOC Children’s. “With everyone’s support, I know we will reach our $3 million goal for 2015. We especially appreciate the support and love shown to our patients and their families from our valued teams, corporations, sponsors and our dear friends at Disneyland Resort. Their support is an incredible way to mark the Walk’s silver anniversary.”
“For more than five decades, the Disneyland Resort has been a proud supporter of CHOC Children’s,” said Michael Colglazier, president of the Disneyland Resort. “We congratulate them for the incredible work they continue to do for children and families throughout our community, and we look forward to hosting their largest fundraising event, CHOC Walk in the Park, once again on our property.”
The popular Walk is the biggest annual fundraising effort for CHOC Children’s, a regional pediatric health care system that includes two hospitals, many primary and specialty care clinics, and four clinical centers of excellence – the CHOC Children’s Heart, Neuroscience, Orthopaedic and Hyundai Cancer Institutes.
Event and registration information can be found at www.chocwalk.org and real-time event information can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.
