CHOC Walk in the Park Presented by Disneyland on Sunday, October 13, 2013

For over 20 years, Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) has brought the community together by coordinating a fundraising 5K walk in an effort to raise money, awareness, and hope for ailing children and their families.  Naturally, Disneyland and CHOC are a perfect pairing, and for more than a decade Disneyland has hosted the event, aptly titled CHOC Walk in the Park.  The event has become the largest, single pediatric walk in the country, the biggest annual fundraising effort for CHOC Children’s, and they’re getting ready to hit the pavement yet again THIS Sunday, October 13.  Would you like to spend a Sunday morning taking a leisurely stroll through Disneyland to raise money for a great cause?  Then, continue reading for more information and details on how to participate.

From the Press Release:

Before the sun rises on Sunday, October 13, Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California, will be filled with thousands of people coming together in support of the health and well-being of children.  CHOC Walk in the Park, presented by Disneyland Resort, is the largest and most unique single pediatric walk event in the U.S.

Now in its 23rd year, the popular event benefits CHOC Children’s, a regional pediatric healthcare system serving children and families in Southern California and beyond.  The 2013 walk covers three miles through Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park where “CHOC Walkers” get a special peek behind the magic 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 Walk participants.

Among the event’s estimated 15,000 walkers are participants from across the U.S. and around the world, including walkers from Canada, Mexico, Australia and South Korea.

Nearly 800 teams are expected, and include current and former patients and families, as well as doctors, nurses and other medical professionals.  Walkers come together to celebrate the lives of children saved by CHOC Children’s, and to honor the memory of those children who bravely lost their battle against serious disease or illness.

It’s the biggest yearly fundraising effort for CHOC.  Monies raised by the event support a variety of patient and family programs, including education, research and the adoption and utilization of the latest technologies to advance the health of children.

Last year’s event raised more than $2 million, and since its inception in 1990, the Walk has raised more than $21 million.

In order to help CHOC reach its goal of providing quality healthcare to the region’s two million children, each CHOC Walker must raise a minimum of $50 to participate in the Walk.  Everyone can register at http://www.chocwalk.org and receive up-to-date event information at CHOC Foundation on Facebook and Twitter.

For the past 12 years, CHOC Walk in the Park has been held at the Disneyland Resort, but the Resort’s commitment to CHOC began more than 50 years ago when Walt Disney himself championed the need for a children’s hospital in Orange County.  Since then, the Disneyland Resort – executives, Cast Members, VoluntEARS and beloved characters – have contributed funds, time and tenderness to enhance CHOC’s environment of healing.

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