Ride and run for pediatric cancer patients
By Irvine City News staff
Cyclists and runners support kids with cancer
Worldwide some 250,000 kids will be diagnosed with cancer this year. The Irvine-based nonprofit Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation (PCRF) has been funding life-saving research for almost 35 years and has raised over $36 million to improve the care, quality of life and the survival rate of children with malignant disease.
This month, we can all help by attending and supporting the 19th annual Reaching for the Cure weekend of runs and cycling events held at Irvine Valley College. The main running events are a half marathon, 10K, 5K, and kids run. All the runs take place on Sunday, March 26, as runners, walkers, fundraisers, sponsors, vendors and volunteers from all over Southern California will run and walk in an effort to “reach for the cure” to pediatric cancer, and to honor pediatric cancer patients, doctors, researchers and survivors everywhere.
Each participant is asked to fundraise for the PCRF so that it can continue to fund the most cutting-edge research that improves the care, quality of life and survival rates of children with malignant disease. Everyone who enters helps, with the fees going to support the cause of helping kids with cancer.
In 2016, the event drew 95 teams with 1,770 team members and raised more than $204,000 for pediatric cancer research.
The day is a fun and festive one, with race day activities including food and music, exhibitors and vendors, and an awards ceremony. Plus, there’s a Kids Zone featuring a petting zoo, bounce houses, obstacle courses, video trucks, face painting, attractions and more.
The weekend isn’t just for runners. On Saturday, March 25, cyclists can join in the cause, too. The Saddleback Spring Classic Gran Fondo, a long-standing cycling event featuring rides of many distances, will begin at Irvine Valley College and support PCRF.
As part of PCRF’s Reaching for the Cure Run/Walk/Ride weekend, a portion of event proceeds from the rides will go directly to pediatric cancer research. Ride participants also have the opportunity to fundraise and personally contribute to finding cures.
With five routes to choose from, stretching from “century” rides of 100 miles to kids and tots-with-training-wheels rides, cyclists experienced and new can select the best course for their ability. All of the courses include fully-stocked rest stops supplied with snacks, gels, bars, carbohydrate/electrolyte drinks and water to keep riders fueled and energized.
Once back to the finish all participants will be treated to a Renegade Racing BBQ with choice of burger, hotdog, chicken or veggie-patty plus chips and cookies, along with a cold beer option, with all of the money going to the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation.
Irvine’s own Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation has earned a four-star rating, the highest available, from CharityNavigator.org. The foundation’s overall score at the site is 94.25 out of 100, including 100 for accountability and transparency. So it’s an organization one can enthusiastically support, especially because the cause is such an important one.
Approximately 13,000 children a year in the U.S. hear the words, “You have cancer.” The PCRF’s goal is that those words can be followed with, “But we have a cure.”
As the nonprofit’s website points out, “Less than 4 percent of the National Cancer Institute cancer research dollars are spent on pediatric cancers. For far too long, babies and children have been receiving scaled down adult treatments that often leave survivors with lasting effects and a very high probability of additional cancers in the future. At PCRF we stand vigilant in our mission to fund research that improves the care, quality of life and survival rate of children with malignant disease.”
To learn more, to sign up to run or ride, or to support a team or the cause, go to:
pcrf-kids.org/event/reaching-for-the-cure
renegaderaceseries.com/saddleback-spring-classic-gran-fondo
Cancer Facts
- 1 in 330 Americans will be diagnosed with cancer before the age of 20.
- Each year cancer kills more children and adolescents than any other disease.
- The incidence of cancer among children in the U.S. is rising almost 1% per year.
- Every day, 46 young people are diagnosed with cancer.
- ŸLess than 4% of the money budgeted by the National Cancer Institute is directed to pediatric cancer research.
Winning the Battle
The cancer death rate has dropped more dramatically for children than for any other age group. This progress can be attributed solely to research. The survival rate in certain pediatric cancers has increased from 50% to greater than 80% since 1985.
- 1 in 330 Americans will be diagnosed with cancer before the age of 20.
- Each year cancer kills more children and adolescents than any other disease.
- The incidence of cancer among children in the U.S. is rising almost 1% per year.
- Every day, 46 young people are diagnosed with cancer.
- Less than 4% of the money budgeted by the National Cancer Institute is directed to pediatric cancer research.
- 80% of all funds raised by PCRF goes directly to research.