Cincinnati Children's Celebrates Patients and Families With Inaugural Five-Mile Pledge Walk

Thousands of patients, families and supporters of Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center will gather at Coney Island from 10 am - 2 pm Saturday, November 4, for the inaugural Cincinnati Walks for Kids.

This new fundraising initiative, designed to celebrate and honor the patients and families Cincinnati Children's serves every year, will culminate with a five-mile pledge walk and fun-filled activities for the entire family. A one-mile option is also available.

"Our daughter received such great care while at Cincinnati Children's, we want to use this walk as a way to say thank you and give back to the people who supported us during such a critical time in our lives," said Jane Birck, a resident of Anderson, Ohio, and mother of 4-year-old Anna, who spent her first 22 days in the Regional Center for Newborn Intensive Care at Cincinnati Children's.

"We were so excited to see that we would be able to designate where the money we raised was going. It made a difference to me, our family and friends, who have all chosen to walk and celebrate with us."

Participants are encouraged to raise funds throughout the summer and fall, with the walk serving as the closing celebration. Registration is easy at www.cincinnatichildrens.org/walk.

People of all ages can participate in Cincinnati Walks for Kids. Strollers, wagons and wheelchairs are welcome. There is no registration fee to participate. Each walker is simply asked to raise at least $25.

"People are telling us why they're walking, and it's inspiring," said Anna Luther, coordinator of the walk. "They're walking for their sons and daughters, their grandchildren, brothers and sisters. They're walking to honor a loved one who fought courageously and for those who've overcome their illnesses. It's exciting to hear about the creative ways walkers and teams are planning to celebrate on November 4."

For more information about Cincinnati Walks for Kids, or to register as an individual or team, visit www.cincinnatichildrens.org/walk or call the Cincinnati Walks for Kids team at 513-636-2941.

Cincinnati Children's is a 475-bed institution devoted to bringing the world the joy of healthier kids. Cincinnati Children's is dedicated to transforming the way health care is delivered by providing care that is timely, efficient, effective, family-centered, equitable and safe. It ranks third nationally among all pediatric centers in research grants from the National Institutes of Health. The Cincinnati Children's vision is to be the leader in improving child health.