Cincinnati Walks for Kids Helps Children in Our Community

Friday, September 21, 2012

The 2012 Cincinnati Walks for Kids benefiting Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center will be held Saturday, Oct. 20, at Coney Island. 

Cincinnati Walks for Kids is more than a fundraising walk, it is a day of family fun and celebration. The day begins with an opening ceremony to honor the patients, families and caregivers of the medical center and thank the community for its commitment to Cincinnati Children’s. 

Walkers may choose a 3-mile or 1-mile walk route. All walkers will receive a finisher’s ribbon as they cross the finish line, followed by a complimentary lunch. Throughout the day, participants can enjoy a festive atmosphere where children can create a helping hands wreath, ride five classic Coney Island rides and have their faces painted. Families can also visit the Remembrance Garden, a serene setting to honor loved ones. 

There is no registration fee to participate in Cincinnati Walks for Kids. Each walker is simply asked to raise at least $25. All walkers raising $25 or more will receive a Cincinnati Walks for Kids T-shirt. Additional individual and team prizes can be earned for further fundraising. All proceeds from the event help Cincinnati Children’s provide hope and healing to the children and families cared for by the medical center. 

People of all ages can participate in the walk and can register online at www.cincinnatichildrens.org/walk. Strollers, wagons and wheelchairs are welcome. With the exception of service dogs, Coney Island does not allow pets on their property. 

Walker Check-In the day of the walk will be held from 8 - 10 am on Saturday, Oct. 20. The walk begins at 10 am after a brief opening ceremony. 

“This is the seventh year for the walk, and each year gets better and better,” says Christina Mihalek, walk coordinator. “You always hear inspiring stories from the patients and families of Cincinnati Children’s, and it’s moving to see how the care the medical center has provided unites them. Cincinnati has such a strong community spirit, and that is truly shown at Cincinnati Walks for Kids.” 

Lead sponsors of Cincinnati Walks for Kids include Coney Island and Messer Construction Co. 

As a nonprofit hospital and research center, Cincinnati Children’s relies on events like Cincinnati Walks for Kids to help fund life-saving research, patient care and education. Since the walk’s inception, nearly $4 million has been raised for the hospital. 

For more information about Cincinnati Walks for Kids, or to register or support a walker, please visit www.cincinnatichildrens.org/walk or call 513-636-2941. 

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center 

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center is third in the nation in U.S. News and World Report’s 2012 Best Children’s Hospitals ranking. It is ranked #1 for neonatology and in the top 10 for all pediatric specialties. Cincinnati Children’s is one of the top two recipients of pediatric research grants from the National Institutes of Health. It is internationally recognized for improving child health and transforming delivery of care through fully integrated, globally recognized research, education and innovation. Additional information can be found at www.cincinnatichildrens.org