Tuesday, April 03, 2007

NYC Kids Cancer Walk 05/12

Dear friends,
In the event that any of you will be in the NYC area, I wanted to invite your family to join in the 7th Annual
KIDS WALK FOR KIDS WITH CANCER
in Central Park on Saturday, May 12. This event benefits pediatric cancer research at Memorial Sloan- Kettering Cancer Center, where Simon was treated. No registration required - just show up!

Walkers start gathering at 12:30 near Tavern on the Green (see directions at www.walkforkidswithcancer.org). There is a brief program, and the walk is about 4 1/2 miles. Afterwards everyone returns to the start point for desserts and socializing. It is a VERY simple event with no more than 200 walkers -- but it is also a warm, upbeat, kid-friendly event, with high schoolers and middle schoolers, the mskcc NB docs and their families, nurses, parents, teachers, scooters, baby carriages, dogs, etc!!

Although just a small grassroots effort run by NYC area teenagers, the event has raised over $410,000 to date. Neuroblastoma research has been the prime target but much of the research funded has also benefitted other orphan cancers. Last year's funds of $105 thousand went to a pediatric project at MSKCC by Dr. Cheung investigating 200,000 new biologicals over 3 years using new technology (developed for adult cancer research at MSKCC) (Lunch for Life also funded). This year's funds will support pediatric translational research (under Dr. Cheung) at MSKCC.


Please continue to keep Ryan McCormick in your prayers. His parents keep getting bad news every day.

Also little Penelope needs your prayers as well. Her parents last post on her site brought tears to my eyes.

Thank you for taking the time to read about these beautiful children!

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