Ultimate Hiker takes on famous pilgrimage for childhood cancer research 

How far would you hike for children with cancer? For Steve Hay, it’s 165 miles.  

More than 17,000 children in the US are diagnosed with cancer every year and most current standard treatments were approved before 1990. There is an urgent need for new, safe, effective treatments. 

Through the CureSearch Create Your Own Adventure program, Steve went the extra mile – 165 miles to be exact – to raise funds for the development of new treatments for children with cancer. This was Steve’s first CureSearch fundraising initiative and he was honored to hike in memory of Colton Kopcinski. 

“I was the family’s pastor and followed their journey from Colton’s diagnosis to his death,” said Steve. “He was such an energetic, funny, smart young guy that you wanted to be with him. Such a positive attitude even when in severe pain. His mom is involved with CureSearch and if she thinks you all are the best way to give hope to other families, that’s good enough for me.” 

In May, Steve began his ultimate adventure on the El Camino de Santiago, or The Way of Saint James trail in Spain. According to exploreworldwide.com, walking the Camino de Santiago is one of the most highly-sought pilgrimages in the history of humanity. Today, nearly 350,000 trekkers from around the world complete the Camino each year.  

“These are pilgrimage trails dating back to the 900s. What makes it spiritual is both the inward exploration and the outward benefit to others,” said Steve. “I want to benefit the children who have done nothing to deserve the suffering they experience.”  

El Camino de Santiago is a network of many different routes with their own unique history, heritage and charm. Steve began his pilgrimage by hiking 75 miles on the Camino Ingles trail and was joined by Alex Felice, his daughter’s boyfriend. Alex joined him on the trail to raise funds and awareness for childhood cancer research and helped Steve surpass the $5,000 fundraising goal. 

Next, Steve hiked 75 miles on the Camino San Salvador and wrapped up his journey hiking 30 miles on the Camino Primitivo. He said his first experience being involved with CureSearch has been positive and inspiring.  

“In the long term I hope that research can nearly eliminate childhood deaths, increase the quality of life for survivors, and shorten the length and minimize the suffering that happens during treatment.” 

To learn more about the Ultimate Hike program and how you can create your own hiking adventure, visit http://ultimatehike.org/.  

The post Ultimate Hiker takes on famous pilgrimage for childhood cancer research appeared first on CureSearch for Children's Cancer.

Volunteer, mother of childhood cancer survivor to host Northern Colorado CureSearch Walk 

CureSearch funds next-generation childhood cancer research, and that wouldn’t be possible without our dedicated volunteers who work every day to fundraise and bring awareness to the urgent need for new treatments for the kids who need them most.  

In 2018, Kathleen Sullivan and her family’s world turned upside down. Her 17-year-old daughter, Sherilyn, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a cancer of the blood that starts in the bone marrow and spreads to the bloodstream. Kathleen had to watch her healthy, energetic child endure toxic treatments to save her life.  

Although childhood cancer is considered a rare disease, it’s the most common cause of death by disease in children. 

“During my daughter’s treatment, we learned that she was 1 of 5 seniors in her class diagnosed with cancer that year,” said Kathleen. “ONE OF FIVE. Childhood cancer was feeling less and less rare.” 

While Sherilyn had a significant chance of survival, that’s not the case for many children with less common and more aggressive tumor types. 

“The need in Northern Colorado to bring awareness and funding for research was increasingly apparent,” said Kathleen. “I have met too many families who have angel children instead of survivors and I still couldn’t shake my grief for those who still do not have options.” 

Our CureSearch Walks are annual events where supporters, advocates and survivors come together to honor and remember those affected by childhood cancer, and raise funds for next-generation research. In addition to CureSearch-hosted walks, supporters also have the opportunity to organize walks in their own communities.  

Kathleen and her family are hosting the Northern Colorado CureSearch Walk on September 24 in Loveland, CO. They’re hoping to raise $10,000 for childhood cancer research.  

“If we can find options for children with leukemia, there are options for all the other subtypes of childhood cancer,” said Kathleen. “But it will take awareness, funding and research. I want people to come walk for the fighters, celebrate our survivors and remember our angels.” 

Click here to join a team or donate to the Northern Colorado CureSearch Walk.   

Interested in participating in a CureSearch Walk this year? Visit our website to sign up for a Walk near you, organize your own local event, or participate in My CureSearch Walk. Formerly the National CureSearch Walk, My CureSearch Walk allows you to walk anywhere, anytime during the month of September, Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. http://www.curesearchwalk.org/. 

The post Volunteer, mother of childhood cancer survivor to host Northern Colorado CureSearch Walk appeared first on CureSearch for Children's Cancer.

Volunteer and mother of childhood cancer survivor to host Northern Colorado CureSearch Walk  

CureSearch funds next-generation childhood cancer research, and that wouldn’t be possible without our dedicated volunteers who work every day to fundraise and bring awareness to the urgent need for new treatments for the kids who need them most.  

In 2018, Kathleen Sullivan and her family’s world turned upside down. Her 17-year-old daughter, Sherilyn, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a cancer of the blood that starts in the bone marrow and spreads to the bloodstream. Kathleen had to watch her healthy, energetic child endure toxic treatments to save her life.  

Although childhood cancer is considered a rare disease, it’s the most common cause of death by disease in children. 

“During my daughter’s treatment, we learned that she was 1 of 5 seniors in her class diagnosed with cancer that year,” said Kathleen. “ONE OF FIVE. Childhood cancer was feeling less and less rare.” 

While Sherilyn had a significant chance of survival, that’s not the case for many children with less common and more aggressive tumor types. 

“The need in Northern Colorado to bring awareness and funding for research was increasingly apparent,” said Kathleen. “I have met too many families who have angel children instead of survivors and I still couldn’t shake my grief for those who still do not have options.” 

Our CureSearch Walks are annual events where supporters, advocates and survivors come together to honor and remember those affected by childhood cancer, and raise funds for next-generation research. In addition to CureSearch-hosted walks, supporters also have the opportunity to organize walks in their own communities.  

Kathleen and her family are hosting the Northern Colorado CureSearch Walk on September 24 in Loveland, CO. They’re hoping to raise $10,000 for childhood cancer research.  

“If we can find options for children with leukemia, there are options for all the other subtypes of childhood cancer,” said Kathleen. “But it will take awareness, funding and research. I want people to come walk for the fighters, celebrate our survivors and remember our angels.” 

Click here to join a team or donate to the Northern Colorado CureSearch Walk.   

Interested in participating in a CureSearch Walk this year? Visit our website to sign up for a Walk near you, organize your own local event, or participate in My CureSearch Walk. Formerly the National CureSearch Walk, My CureSearch Walk allows you to walk anywhere, anytime during the month of September, Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. http://www.curesearchwalk.org/. 

The post Volunteer and mother of childhood cancer survivor to host Northern Colorado CureSearch Walk appeared first on CureSearch for Children's Cancer.