Children’s National Rallies Community to Help Every Child Grow Up Stronger

The Race for Every Child, benefitting Children’s National, expects to raise $1.55 million to ensure that exceptional care is available to every family, regardless of illness, injury or ability to pay. The annual 5K run/walk and Kids Dash, on Saturday, October 19 at Freedom Plaza in Washington, D.C., is one of the area’s most popular family events.

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The annual Race for Every Child leads participants through the heart of Washington, DC and is followed by the popular 100-yard Kids Dash down Pennsylvania Avenue – a reminder of why so many participate. (Photo: Business Wire)

The 2019 Race for Every Child will be the largest yet, with more than 6,100 registered participants and more than 400 teams. Registration is open through October 13 at raceforeverychild.org.

The annual race raises funds to ensure that patients and their families can receive the medical care and emotional support they need at Children’s National. After Heather and Jeff Goldman’s son Ari passed away after spending his six months of life in the cardiac intensive care unit, their time in the hospital may have come to an end, but they felt as though they had gained an extended family amid the greatest challenge of their lives. They vowed to honor their son’s memory by giving back to the hospital, and are serving as co-chairs for the 2019 Race for Every Child.

“Children’s National gave us six wonderful months with our son when we weren’t sure we’d have even one day,” says Heather Goldman. “Every year, we gather our friends, family, and Ari’s former care team and come together to celebrate Ari’s life and support the outstanding work that Children’s National has done and continues to do for children in the Washington, D.C. area and beyond.”

This year’s fundraising goal of $1.55 million will support life-saving care, research and programs that help kids be just kids during hospitalization and treatment. In 2018, Children’s National served more than 237,000 patients, including 97 percent from the D.C. region, conducted more than 673,000 outpatient visits and delivered more than $71 million in uncompensated care.

“The entire community – runners and walkers, families, corporate partners, and our staff – unites to celebrate pediatric health and to rally behind Children’s National,” said Kurt Newman, M.D., president and CEO of Children’s National. “Everyone’s participation makes a tremendous impact on children, now and in the future.”

Since 2013, the Race for Every Child has raised more than $7.3 million and benefitted more than 1 million children.

Visit raceforeverychild.org for more information or to register or donate. Already participating in the race? Share your photos and videos on social media using #RaceForEveryChild and share why you race to encourage donations and spread awareness.

About Children's National

Children’s National Health System, based in Washington, D.C., has served the nation’s children since 1870. Children’s National is the nation’s No. 6 pediatric hospital and, for the third straight year, is ranked No. 1 in newborn care, as well as ranked in all specialties evaluated by U.S. News & World Report. It has been designated two times as a Magnet® hospital, a designation given to hospitals that demonstrate the highest standards of nursing and patient care delivery. This pediatric academic health system offers expert care through a convenient, community-based primary care network and specialty outpatient centers in the D.C. Metropolitan area, including the Maryland suburbs and Northern Virginia. Home to the Children’s Research Institute and the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, Children’s National is the seventh-highest NIH-funded children’s hospital in the nation. Children’s National is recognized for its expertise and innovation in pediatric care and as a strong voice for children through advocacy at the local, regional and national levels.

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