(ROCKWALL, TX – September 17, 2015) Heroes for Children – a Dallas-based nonprofit that provides social and financial assistance to families whose children are battling cancer – is hosting the 11th Annual Heart of Gold 5K & Fun Run on Saturday, Sept. 26. This special event is held in honor of National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and helps raise money and create awareness for childhood cancer. HFC is pleased to honor three local children currently battling cancer as the Grand Marshals for this event, including one child from Rockwall.
The three Grand Marshals are young fighters representing each of the hospitals in Dallas that HFC serves. Bella Robinson (5) of Rockwall represents Medical City Children’s, Micah Ahern (6½) represents Cook Children’s, and Ashley Jackson (17) represents Children’s Medical Center. HFC partners with social workers in these hospitals to find families who could benefit from financial and social help from HFC. As Grand Marshals, they will be honored at the event for their courageous fight against cancer.
Bella, Micah and Ashley all have personal stories about their fight with cancer and have all received help from HFC over the past few years.
Only 12 days after her fifth birthday, Bella Robinson was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). Even though she was suffering, Bella kept her head held high with a positive attitude about her treatments and remained happy and outgoing. She spent a lot of time in the hospital but loved meeting the other kids on the Pediatric Oncology floor at Medical City Children’s.
“We have so many new friendships,” says Bella’s mom, Brittney Robinson. “We’re all battling together.”
HFC has lifted a huge burden off of the Robinsons by financially providing assistance to help pay for treatment. This way, the family can focus on being there for Bella as she battles cancer.
Micah was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma when he was only 15 months old and has been fighting ever since. Micah and his family were blessed by the Holiday Heroes program one Christmas after Micah relapsed a few years ago.
“Heroes for Children helped us when there were no other resources. HFC threw a huge party at TCU and bought gifts specific for each of our kids, not just Micah. It was the most special Christmas we’ve ever had. We felt so loved and cared for,” says Micah’s mom, Linda Ahern. “And now here we are two and a half years after his relapse, and Heroes for Children is still helping out our family through financial support.”
Ashley Jackson and her mom receive financial and emotional support through HFC. Ashley was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma when she was 16. She spent a lot of her time in the hospital where she grew close with nurses who would dance for her when she was in severe pain. She also started her own organization called Ashley’s Hearts of Hope where she gives gifts to children. HFC has been a large financial help to Ashley and her single mom, Debra, as expenses like travel and medication add up. HFC also cared for Ashley and her mom emotionally.
“Heroes for Children made a huge difference. Ashley was greatly inspired by how Larissa and Jenny (co-founders) turned their tragedies into helping others,” Debra says. “Ashley blossomed during her diagnosis and found her path in life, and through the inspiration of Jenny and Larissa, she has decided to use her experience to help others by becoming a child life specialist.”
HFC understands how isolating a cancer diagnosis can feel. Part of the organization’s mission is to make sure children battling cancer and their families never fight alone.
“There were points in the journey when we weren’t sure what her survival rate was going to be, and there were many months of chemo, but during this time there was still hope,” Debra adds. “It’s okay no matter how bad things get, you have a community that is there for you. We made a lot of connections, and we never felt alone.”
The Heart of Gold 5K & Fun Run will be held on Saturday, Sept. 26, at The Plaza at Galatyn Park in Richardson, Texas. The event begins with the annual commemorative balloon release led by co-founders Jenny and Larissa, followed by the Family Fun Run and 5K. There will be a live DJ and kid’s Adventure Zone with games, rock climbing wall, activities, bounce houses and a special area to honor and remember children who have been affected by cancer. The event also includes fantastic prizes, awards, giveaways, food and more. Register at thedriven.net/heroes5k.
About Heroes for Children
Heroes for Children is a unique non-profit organization that provides social and financial assistance to families whose child is battling cancer. Since 2005, Heroes for Children has helped alleviate families’ worries, giving them comfort and a brief respite from the everyday challenges of fighting cancer and care giving. Since its inception, more than $5 million has been given to 4,200 families in need. To learn more about Heroes for Children, please visit heroesforchildren.org.
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Rockwall cancer patient to serve as Grand Marshall in Heart of Gold 5K/Fun Run added by Editor on
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