Events: Arizona - Phoenix - Scottsdale

Grand Canyon University Foundation has teamed up with Children’s Cancer Network and Phoenix Children’s Hospital to raise awareness and funds for one of the most overlooked and underfunded areas of all cancer research at the Run to Fight Children’s Cancer. The seventh-annual race - the largest in Arizona dedicated solely to pediatric cancer - is scheduled March 11 at GCU’s west Phoenix campus.

Each year in the United States, nearly 16,000 children from birth to age 19 are diagnosed with cancer, and cure rates for some pediatric cancers remain below 50 percent. Cancer kills more children than AIDS, asthma, diabetes, cystic fibrosis and congenital anomalies combined, yet funding for pediatric cancer remains below five percent. As a result, kids often receive the same treatments as adults, and many of these treatments like chemo and radiation are extremely toxic.

In fact, while many children win the short-term battle against this horrific disease, they must engage in a lifelong war. Sixty percent of childhood cancer survivors suffer from serious and even life-threatening late effects years or even decades after treatment. 

That’s why events like the Run to Fight Children’s Cancer are so important. In the past six years, the race has raised more than $450,000 for PCH and its research into cancer cures and for Children’s Cancer Network (CCN), a Chandler-based nonprofit that supports children with cancer and their families. All proceeds from the race directly benefit Arizona families.Run to Fight Children’s Cancer features a 10K run, 5K run/walk, and quarter-mile Cancer Survivors’ Walk to honor children who have beaten cancer, those who are still fighting, and those who have lost their battle with the disease. Visit www.runtofightcancer.com or search Run to Fight Children’s Cancer on Facebook for more details about the event, to register to run, and to learn about fundraising opportunities.