Wolfson Children’s Challenge is returning Jan. 29 as an in-person event.
Individuals and teams of all abilities and fitness levels can participate in a variety of races and fundraising opportunities at the 13th annual event, celebrating current and former patients of Wolfson Children’s Hospital of Jacksonville and raising funds for lifesaving care.
Those who want to be a part of the event can sign up as a sponsor, organize a relay team or compete in one of following challenges:
Wolfson Children’s Challenge will also feature Five Days of 5Ks: Virtual Edition on Jan. 25-29. Participants have an opportunity to recruit friends and family from all over the country to participate in a 5-kilometer run each day for five days.
Runners can track their virtual activity progress and fundraising on the Wolfson55 app, available for download from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store in January. The app is also available for virtual participation. Instructions for download will be provided via email after registration through the online portal.
The fundraiser will be held at the 121 Financial Ballpark, 301 A. Phillip Randolph Blvd., Jacksonville.
Registration is open now at wolfsonchildrenschallenge.com.
Every year, the Wolfson Children’s Challenge honors 55 current and former patients of all ages who represent the wide range of conditions treated at Wolfson Children’s Hospital. Known as the “Wolfson 55,” each child and family has a unique story to tell about the strength and hope it takes to fight a health battle.
The Wolfson Children’s Challenge was created in 2009 by Paul Wilson, whose then-newborn son, Luke, underwent corrective surgery for spina bifida just hours after his birth. Wilson and others hoped to raise $5,000 by running 55 miles, honoring the year Wolfson Children’s Hospital opened in 1955. Wilson’s mission has far surpassed his initial goal, with the Wolfson Children’s Challenge raising more than $4 million to date.
This year, the Wolfson Children’s Challenge aims to raise $450,000. All proceeds benefit the Wolfson Children’s Challenge Endowment and help fund the purchase of life-saving trauma equipment and technology for Wolfson Children’s most critically ill and injured patients.
A portion of this year’s funds will also support the development of an MIBG therapy room on the oncology floor of Wolfson Children’s Hospital. As the first of its kind in Florida, the new room will give Wolfson Children’s the ability to offer the newest upfront treatment for children with neuroblastoma, the most common solid tumor of childhood cancer.
MIBG therapy is a radioactive treatment that must be administered to pediatric patients in a special room designed to protect staff, patients and families in surrounding rooms from radiation. During the treatment, patients must be kept isolated in the specialized room for three to five days to prevent radiation exposure to other patients and staff.
The Wolfson Children’s Hospital room that is being converted for this purpose already has a separate, adjoining living space to accommodate parents and families. Voice and video communication equipment will be installed in the rooms, allowing families and patients to remain connected.
For more information about the event or to register online, go to wolfsonchildrenschallenge.com.
