Four Seasons Parkway Run & Walk Achieves New Fundraising Record of Nearly $1.3 Million

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 8, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Four Seasons Parkway Run & Walk raised nearly $1.3 million to support childhood cancer research and survivorship programs at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.  Held on September 29, 12,000 runners, walkers, doctors, nurses and children with cancer and their families participated in this year's Parkway Run.  Once again, Cliff and Kristen Lee served as honorary co-chairs, and Comcast Sportsnet and 94 WIP's Michael Barkann and 98.1 WOGL's Valerie Knight served as this year's hosts.

"Surpassing the $1 million fund raising mark for the second year in a row at this year's Four Seasons Parkway Run & Walk is a remarkable achievement." said Frank Balis, M.D., interim division chief, the Cancer Center at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. "The funds raised at this event are critical to the success of our research and survivorship programs. The extraordinary success of the Parkway Run and Walk is a tribute to the dedication and year round efforts of the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia and its employees and to the incredible support from the honorary co-chairs Cliff and Kristen Lee, as well as the generous sponsors, our patients and their families, the hospital staff and the community."

"Year after year, we are in awe that the Four Seasons Parkway Run & Walk grows in funds raised and participation," said Brent Martin, general manager of Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia. "There is no better partner we could ask for than the world-class Cancer Center at CHOP to execute one of Philadelphia's top fundraising public events."  

"The Four Seasons Parkway Run & Walk is an opportunity for anyone in the community—whether they've been touched by childhood cancer or not—to make a difference in the lives of children with cancer," said Cliff and Kristen Lee, honorary co-chairs. "We are proud to have partnered with the Cancer Center at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia as one of the nation's largest and best pediatric cancer programs, knowing that the funds raised will make a tremendous difference for future generations of children diagnosed with cancer."

Dramatic strides have been made in the treatment of childhood cancers as a direct result of laboratory and clinical research, which have led to new treatment approaches, and The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has been at the forefront of this progress.  However, too many children still succumb to their cancers, and many survivors still face long-term side effects from treatment such as second cancers, infertility, and learning problems, making it vital to continue the search for more effective and less toxic treatments. 

"The Four Seasons Parkway Run & Walk helps to support new research and treatments so that we can achieve a 100 percent survival rate with the goal of eradicating childhood cancer, and, minimizing the long term side-effect of some treatments," said Garrett Brodeur, M.D., interim director of the Center for Childhood Cancer Research at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. "Today's challenging economic climate makes philanthropy more important than ever before, ensuring Children's Hospital can continue to build upon previous successes in turning scientific discovery into medical innovation.

Held annually on the last Sunday of September, the Four Seasons Parkway Run & Walk is the largest annual fundraiser for the Cancer Center at The Children's Hospital.  This hallmark event is a poignant finale as part of the Cancer Center's efforts to raise funds and awareness during September's National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.  Although September is over, research to advance treatment for childhood cancer continues.  To support, go to www.parkwayrun.org or www.chop.edu/cancer to learn the many ways to become an advocate.

About the Cancer Center at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia: The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has one of the largest pediatric cancer programs in the United States, which is continuously top-ranked by U.S.News & World Report and by Parents Magazine. Its large basic and clinical research programs are particularly strong in pediatric neuro-oncology, neuroblastoma, leukemia and lymphoma, and sarcomas. Of all pediatric institutions, Children's Hospital enrolls the most patients in national clinical trials, working in close collaboration with national organizations such as the Children's Oncology Group. Physicians at Children's Hospital have had pioneering roles in developing international standards for diagnosing and treating neuroblastoma, and in developing programs for survivors of childhood cancer.

Contact: Rachel Salis-Silverman
Phone: 267-426-6063
[email protected]

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141008/151004

SOURCE The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia