13th annual LLUCH Kids Walk planned

The most devastating news a parent can get is confirmation that their child has cancer, a disease that kills more children than cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, AIDS, asthma and juvenile diabetes combined, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Dalia Gonzalez knows what it feels like to receive this kind of diagnosis. Three years ago, her 7-year-old daughter, Violeta, was diagnosed with Leukemia.

But soon after receiving the news from an oncologist at Loma Linda University Childrens Hospital, Gonzalez was greeted by representatives of the Childhood Cancer Foundation of Southern California, a Loma Linda-based non-profit that puts people like Gonzalez in touch with other families who have received similarly devastating news.

The group not only helps the parents network, but it provides patients with helpful information, books and even financial assistance to help them cover their food and gasoline costs as they struggle to pay for the cost of cancer treatment.

The Foundation also organizes social gatherings and special events to give families the emotional strength and support they need to get through the most physically and emotionally challenging period of their lives.

The Foundations largest public event of the year takes place in Loma Linda Sunday, Sept. 9th, when the Foundation holds its 13th annual Brianna Cadman Memorial Kids Walk, which is named in honor of a beautiful 12-year-old girl who lost her battle against cancer in 1999.

More than 400 Inland Empire supporters, community members, children and adults are expected to participate in next Sundays walk, which will begin at the Foundations office at 11155 Mountain View Ave. in Loma Linda and continue to Loma Linda University Childrens Hospital.

Cancer walk participants will be marching with homemade banners, photos and other personal items in honor of their children who are battling cancer as well as children who have lost their lives. Many of them will sing songs and shout cheers in support of their children.

It is a very moving and powerful event, said Armida Kersey, the Foundations executive director, who noted that cancer has a ripple effect that engulfs entire families.

Kersey, in fact, takes photographs of each individual family that has been affected by the disease so that they can always remember their participation in the event and draw emotional strength from it.

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13th annual LLUCH Kids Walk planned