Less than 4-percent of the National Cancer Institute budget is dedicated solely to childhood cancer. To the family of Alex Mandarino that is nothing short of tragic. That is why fully three years after young Alex lost his battle to neuroblastoma, the family and their Alex Mandarino Foundation are redoubling efforts to aim for a record return at the 4th Annual Alex's Duck Duck Run 5K Run/Walk and 1K Kids' Fun Run this month.
Supporters of the Alex Mandarino Foundation are working around the clock to assure a first-class experience for all racers, walkers, kids and fans at the June 18th event slated to begin and end at the Margaret Upton Arboretum along the St. Joseph River. They are also making it crystal clear that with such miniscule support for childhood cancer research at the national level every penny that goes into the fight counts more than ever before.
The 1K Kids' Fun Run will launch the day beginning at 9:20am and the 5K events will follow, stepping off at 10am. Featured at the event will be a Kids Zone with inflatable slides, face-painting by Jenni Bush, balloon twisters, games & prizes, and even nitrogen flash-frozen ice cream generously provided by Fire & Ice Pizzeria & Creamery of St. Joseph.
All proceeds will benefit the Alex Mandarino Foundation which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to finding a cure for childhood cancer. Tony & Katie Mandarino lost their heroic young son, Alex, to his own battle in 2013 at the age of 5. They are passionately continuing Alex's fight to end the horrible disease.
With at least a dozen childhood exclusive cancers and less than 4-percent of the NCI budget going to all of them combined, it is shocking that the work is left to organizations like the Alex Mandarino Foundation. Event the filtered down funds that childhood cancers garner from the American Cancer Society are minimal, so grassroots organizations like theirs leave the Mandarinos and others to help make a difference for kids fighting the dread disease. They are also the source for most of the research money for childhood cancers.
Alex's Duck Duck Run gives all proceeds to help find a cure. In the past three years they have delivered $115,000 to pediatric cancer research hospitals and more than $10,000 to other Southwest Michigan families with kids fighting cancer.
Runners and walkers of all ages are invited to join the fight by participating through either race registrations or by making a donation directly to the foundation at the link below. Interested fans can also register at Edgewater Bank at 321 Main Street in St. Joseph. There is more information about the event and the foundation at the link.
Here's how to find out more, or to register:
