The most magical morning was spent supporting Children’s Hospital Orange County at the Disneyland Resort for the 29th annual CHOC Walk in the Park.
Thank you to all who supported our team during the 2019 CHOC Walk! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
“Disney makes magic; CHOC makes miracles”
Last weekend, 14,000 of my closest friends and I took to Main Street, USA to kick off the 29th annual CHOC Walk in the Park. The early (very, very early) morning began with check-in and excitement as teams started to arrive.
Teams of all sizes celebrate the magical morning. Some I recognized from past walks with coordinating shirts, signs, and fun props. I also adored the handmade signs from the cutest walkers!
We even saw our cute neighbors who have walked for 11 consecutive years in honor of their NICU graduate.
The emcee for the morning pumped up the crowd with the help of the most amazing ASL interpreter. Seriously, you’ve not experienced pop musics until you’ve seen them signed at 5:00 AM.
The morning continued with brief welcomes from Disneyland and CHOC representatives. Then a super special couple came to welcome in the ambassador family.
Oh hey, Mickey & Minnie!
This year I was joined in the walk with members of my family. My husband Matt, my mom, sister, and youngest daughter decided to slip on their sneakers and join in on the fun.
Thank you so much to Patrick Carrie for designing our shirts, and Totally Couture for making them!
The CHOC Walk is the ONLY walk within the Disneyland Resort. Each year the 5k route varies, and you never know who will stop by for photos. The walk traverses both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.
The walk is made even more exciting with tons of meet & greets with Disney characters. Poppy counted the princesses, and hid from the Dark Side when she saw Darth. We have trained our Jedi well.
Why We Walk
Healthy kids are something we cherish.
The annual walk coincidentally happened to be scheduled on my nephew Dominic’s 22nd birthday. When he was just 10, Dominic was diagnosed with a intense form of leukemia. Within what feels like a second, we lost our sweet Dominic.
How I miss his sincere kindness, his brilliance, his creativity.
Finding ways to honor his memory is important to us. At his funeral, Dominic’s dad shared the words of Albus Dumbledore.
“Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times. If one only remembers to turn on the light.”
-Albus Dumbledore
Yes, I know Harry Potter is not Disney, but it’s a message I believe even my pal Walt Disney would support. Here was our chance to turn on the light, to do some good even on a dark day for our family.
Each year, an ambassador is selected for the CHOC Walk. 2019’s ambassador was 8-year-old Ella Boyle, who has been in remission for 2 1/2 years. Throughout the year, I’ve been honored to hear more of her story.
Ella’s family shared of their brave daughter’s fight against cancer. They spoke of her surgeries, her struggle to learn to walk 7 times. They also spoke of joyous snowball fights with Olaf’s fake snowballs, a bubble blowing anesthesiologist, of a Shopkins transport team.
They spoke of how Ella’s big sister was given the classification of “Super Sibling.” CHOC helped to maintain their family unit when it mattered most.
Did I cry a few extra happy tears hearing the triumph of Brave Boyle’s team story? Oh, absolutely!
CHOC’s Impact
Hearing Team Brave Boyle speak of their personal experience speaks volumes of this year’s theme “Defenders of Childhood.” Being sick as a kid doesn’t mean you aren’t a kid.
If you’ve never been to the CHOC campus, you may not realize that within the halls legitimate miracles are happening. But some serious fun is too.
Disney fans love the opportunity to hang with their favorite surfing turtle, Crush, at Turtle Talk within the Disney California Adventure Park. But Crush swims over to CHOC where patients can check in, get the surf report, and be reminded that they “so totally rock.” There’s a radio station, a movie screening room, and so many unique opportunities to help defend the special moments of childhood that may be lost after a hard diagnosis.
I was able to join in the magic of the Minnie Walk, a mini version of the CHOC Walk held on the CHOC grounds for the patients whose health kept them away from the Disneyland walk. Sponsors spoiled families with toys, gift cards, and smiles. Plus, Minnie herself showed up!
Want to know more about CHOC’s impact?
- Over 220,000 kids are treated each year at CHOC
- 60% of those patients receive financial assistance
- CHOC operates the only mental health inpatient center for children under 12 in Orange County
- Next year, they’re opening the Thompson Autism Center
Support CHOC
This year’s CHOC Walk was a huge success. $2.5 billion has already been raised to support Southern California kids. But we aren’t quite done yet! Can you help reach the 2019 $3 million goal? There’s still time to donate!
You can make donations to CHOC here.
My tiny team had a magical morning. But we’d love you to join us! It’s never too early to start stocking up on coffee for an early morning through the Happiest Place on Earth for the 30th CHOC Walk in the Park in 2020.
12 Comments
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That walk seems like a great event and the cause could not be more important. It is so wonderful that Disney takes part in this cause and helps so many children.
I love this cause! I am so glad when people can come together and raise money for those who need it.
omg what an awesome cause this is and i love when people can come together for a great cause 🙂
Kudos to all who participated in the CHOC Walk! Want an amazing event to help support such an important cause. I’m sorry for the loss of you sweet nephew, but I am glad you are able to turn on the light each year and find a way to honor his memory ♥
That was such a great turn out too. It looks like the kids really got into it is well which is always a blessing.
That is awesome that you got to participate in this event as Disney of all places. Kudos for Disney for hosting this amazing opportunity to help kids in need. I also love the quote you shared. In the last 6 months, I’ve been at one of my lowest points and while I was down I got kicked again basically. My soul was shattered in Feb and I have been slowly picking up the pieces. It isn’t over but I do see the light, even if it is just a flicker some days.
What a fun event! I truly enjoy these types of events because they are fun and because it is right and good to give back!
I love that Disney does this and you were there to walk with them. Thanks for sharing the pictures, I feel inspired for the day 🙂
What fun! I haven’t been to Disney World in many, many years but am planning to take my grandkids soon.
Such a great cause and what a fun way to spend time with family and make a difference at the same time. Hope you reach your goal.
What a fun event to experience. I’m so glad that you shared this with us and had a great time. I love being able to do fun things that are also for a good cause, it’s even better when you can bring the whole family along.
Looks like an amazing time! What a great cause too!