The Point Loma-based La Playa Unit of Rady Children’s Hospital Auxiliary will host its 19th annual Celebration of Champions event at the Embarcadero Marina Park North on Saturday, May 10. The Celebration of Champions celebrates the heroic efforts of children with cancer, their families and health-care professionals, and raises much-needed funds for the Peckham Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders.
“Cancer kills more children than any other disease, and all children are potentially at risk,” said JoAnne Auger, registered nurse and supportive-care coordinator at the Peckham Center. “All ‘celebration’ donations and sponsorship funds raised support the Peckham Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego and its programs providing social, psychological and emotional support to the children and their families throughout the course of illness, treatment and recovery,” she said. More than 300 young champions who are currently fighting cancer or have survived cancer will be participating in this year’s event. Each champion will run, walk or be carried an eighth of a mile holding the “torch of life” while being accompanied by a family member, sponsor and celebrity. The champion will then pass the torch to another child for his/her symbolic run.
“Our fundraising efficiency is 100 percent, meaning that every dollar contributed goes to support the children at the Peckham Center,” said Marjo Miller, sponsorship chairman. “The event is staffed completely with volunteers. No salaries, fees or fundraising commissions are paid,” she said.
Anyone can be a sponsor. Five different sponsorship levels from individual to corporate levels are available ranging from $1,500 to $25,000. For more information, visit www.celebrationofchampions.com/-become_supporter.html or contact [email protected]. Every year, the Celebration of Champions raises nearly $400,000. Become a sponsor and help make the difference in the lives of children battling cancer.
The Celebration of Champions was founded by the La Playa Unit of Rady Children’s Hospital Auxiliary. The group consists of women from Point Loma dedicated to volunteering their time and resources to help raise funds for Rady Children’s. To date, the La Playa Unit has raised over $6 million. The Celebration of Champions includes a relay for life, balloon release memoriam and other activities designed to pay homage to the heroic efforts of the participating child champions and their families. The Celebration of Champions is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charity, EIN 33-0170626. For more information on the Celebration of Champions, visit www.celebrationofchampions.com.