The Running for Hope Association, going into its 5^th year, has been fortunate enough to have been given the utmost amount of support from our community members, families, patients, friends, and businesses that have all helped us attain our fundraising goal year after year.  Our primary focus has always been to raise more money each year to help the children and families of Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House® near Hope.  We are excited to announce that to exceed last year’s fundraising of over $87,000, we have established an ultimate goal of surpassing $100,000 for our special 5 year anniversary of this event! This year’s run will once again benefit The Ronald McDonald House® near Hope and will also benefit Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital’s new palliative care program.

The new palliative care program at Hope Children’s Hospital includes a dedicated team of professionals who help support physicians in treating children with chronic, life-threatening or terminal illnesses. The palliative care team includes a palliative care physician, nurse coordinator, chaplain and other health-care professionals with significant experience in caring for children with debilitating symptoms.
     Hope Children’s Hospital palliative program will provide:
            • Expertise in pain and symptom management
            • Appropriate referrals to such services as: rehabilitation, radiation therapy,          chaplaincy, bereavement counseling, home health, hospice, and community agencies
            • Assistance with complex medical decisions involving surgery, aggressiveness of treatment and continuing/discounting of curative therapies.

The Ronald McDonald House® near Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital provides a “home away from home” for families of children receiving treatment at Hope Hospital.  This 16 bedroom House is located in close proximity to the hospital, offering comfortable rooms where families can get a good night’s rest knowing their child is close by.  Families are asked to make a suggested donation of $10 a night, but no one is turned away if they cannot pay. 

Money raised from our this year’s annual event will enable Hope Children’s Hospital to provide the very best care and support to the children and families who face life-changing diagnoses and help to enhance the quality of life for the child and family. It will also aide in the operational costs of the Ronald McDonald House® near Hope.