6/5/2017
More than 4,000 walkers participated in the second annual Walk for Children’s, which raised more than $787,500 for Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC.
Held on June 3 at Flagstaff Hill in Schenley Park, the family fun walk and patient champion parade was hosted by Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation.
“It’s just incredible to see how our community comes together for this day,” said Greg Barrett, president, Children’s Foundation. “From our many patients and families, to physicians, nurses, staff and corporate partners, it was remarkable to interact with these groups in one place and know we are all here for one genuine reason – to show continued love and support for the kids of this community.”
The event kicked off with a patient champion parade, with more than 150 patients dressed in purple shirts and displaying medals, leading the groups to the starting line. There was also a special performance of the national anthem, led by one of the patient champions, Sean Nolan, who battled cancer earlier this year.
Entertainment during the morning included appearances from 96.1 KISS-FM’s Mikey and Big Bob, and DJ Jonny Hartwell from 94.5 3WS. Other activities included free helmets, courtesy of Kohl’s Hard Heads Helmet Program; bounce houses; face painting; snacks from Dairy Queen, Eat’n Park, Turner Dairy, and more.
Walk co-chairs were Scott Lammie, chief financial officer, UPMC Health Plan, and Morgan O'Brien, chief executive officer, Peoples Gas. Ken Rice from KDKA-TV served as the emcee.
Title sponsors for Walk for Children’s include UPMC and UPMC Health Plan.
For more information, visit www.givetochildrens.org/walk.