Mountainside, New Jersey – Children’s Specialized Hospital (CSH) Foundation hosted its 17th annual Walk n’ Roll on Sunday, October 1, 2023, at Colonial Park in Somerset, New Jersey.
On a day that brings CSH Foundation’s mission to life, more than 1,000 guests, including CSH patients, families, hospital staff, sponsors, community members and even their pets gathered to walk and roll together in support of children living with special health care needs. The event raised over $200,000 that will fund the specialized medical programs, equipment, and research at CSH where more than 35,000 local children are treated for various complex medical conditions every year.
“Walk n’ Roll is a truly special and heartwarming event where our clinicians, patients and their families, and our supporters come together to walk in solidarity,” said Alissa Memoli, President and Chief Development Officer at CSH Foundation. “We are so grateful to every participant, fundraiser, volunteer, and sponsor for stepping up to support New Jersey’s kids living with special health care needs. We are already looking forward to next year’s walk!”
Guests were inspired by a moving story from the Eliopoulos family, whose son, Dean, a CSH patient living with cerebral palsy, was this year’s Walk n’ Roll ambassador. Dean’s mom, Meg, talked about how isolating it can be for parents of children with special needs and how the CSH community has not only helped her son, but has also given her family the strength and knowledge they need to give Dean the best care at home. Dean and his family then had the honor of cutting the start ribbon and leading the guests on the walk.
Prominent NJ businesses sponsored the event, including PSE&G, Burns & McDonnell, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, RE/MAX Our Town, Furino & Sons, and NJM Insurance Group. Eat Clean Bro, the NJ-based meal delivery service, donated lunch and cooked it fresh for all of the guests. Complimentary Core Hydration was provided by Keurig Dr. Pepper. Ferreira Construction, Jingoli, and J. Fletcher Creamer & Son, Inc., along with Furnio & Sons, supplied construction vehicles that expanded the kids’ imaginations as they sat behind the controls. View the 17th Annual Walk n’ Roll photo gallery here.
About Children’s Specialized Hospital Foundation
When you give to Children’s Specialized Hospital (CSH) Foundation, 100% of your donation supports the programs and services of CSH that are transforming the lives of children with special health care needs. The CSH Foundation receives philanthropic support from those who share our mission and commitment to ensuring that all children with special health care needs receive the life-changing care they need to reach their full potential. To help or learn more, visit https://give2csh.org.
About Children’s Specialized Hospital
Children’s Specialized Hospital, an RWJBarnabas Health Facility, is the nation’s leading provider of inpatient and outpatient care for children and young adults from birth to 21 years of age facing special health care challenges – from chronic illnesses and complex physical disabilities like brain and spinal cord injuries, to a full scope of developmental, behavioral, and mental health concerns. At 15 different New Jersey locations, our pediatric specialists partner with families to make our many innovative therapies and medical treatments more personalized and effective so each child can reach their full potential. For more information, visit rwjbh.org/childrensspecialized or follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram and Twitter.
Children’s Specialized Hospital is a proud member of Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.
Contact: Afiya Rawls, Content Marketing Manager, Children’s Specialized Hospital
arawls@children-specialized.org