The 35th Annual Champions Run for Life Torch Run event scheduled for June 13, 2020 has been canceled due to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Therefore, for the safety of our patients, families, staff, and supporters, the Spirit of the Torch Run Lives on in a Virtual Campaign! Join Us and Pass The Torch!
The Torch Run is an Olympic-style relay race full of inspirational and uplifting moments. Patient “champions” carry a torch – a symbol of hope for a cure for childhood cancer and serious blood disorders – as they walk, run, wheel or are carried through a one-eighth mile celebratory lap. The patient passes the torch to the next “Champion,” together getting one step closer to the finish line. Patients are cheered on by family, friends, and supporters.
Current and former pediatric cancer and blood disorder patients and families from the Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Institute at MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach are invited to participate in the Torch Run event.
The annual Champions Run for Life Torch Run has held a very special place in the lives of patients, families, and supporters for the last 35 years! The Torch Run serves as a time of reunion and reflection for all those involved. Melanie, Matthew, and Allison have participated in the Torch Run for several years. They wanted to share their personal stories of hope and inspiration.
"I love the Torch Run because my family and friends come together to support me!" "I like singing, dancing, and making Tik Tok videos. I also like dressing up especially in Jojo siwa clothes!"
"I love the Torch Run because it's a family event and because you run and have fun!" "I like playing with water toys, making projects out of cardboard boxes, taking walks, the beach, and playing with my sisters. I have three turtles and a hamster named Valentine!"
"The Torch Run is special to me because I get to see so many people attend and support each other!" My hobbies are singing, playing guitar, writing songs, performing in musical theater, and doing arts and crafts."
In 1976, 16-year-old Jonathan Jaques inspired the creation of the institute by giving his life savings, $1,000, to his parents and asking them to help future children with cancer. Although Jonathan lost his battle with cancer, his legacy lives on through the institute that was dedicated in his name in 1983.
Jonathan Jaques taught the world about giving and sharing during his brief lifetime. His legacy endures as children and their families continue to receive innovative treatment, compassionate care and support at the institute that proudly bears the name of this young visionary — Jonathan Jaques Children's Cancer Institute.
The Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Institute provides quality, compassionate care to children with cancer, sickle cell disease and other serious blood disorders.
The Jonathan Jaques Children's Cancer Institute at MemorialCare Miller Children's & Women's Hospital Long Beach is nationally recognized and is a leader in the multidisciplinary care and research in pediatric cancer and serious blood disorders such as sickle cell disease, and hemophilia. As the only pediatric hematology oncology program in greater Long Beach, South Bay, and Northern Orange County, the Jonathan Jaques Children's Cancer Institute provides the most advanced techniques for the diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and continuing care of children with cancer and serious blood diseases.
Philanthropic support helps to sustain and develop many of the critical components of the Jonathan Jaques Children's Cancer Institute's unique supportive care services such as psychologists, social workers, child life specialists, and art therapists. A large proportion of patient families struggle significantly with the financial pressures of caring for an ill child. Many of the families that the Jonathan Jaques Children's Cancer Institute serves would not receive the same quality of care if it were not for the generous support of donors, and civic and community organizations.
The Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Institute works closely with the community to increase their awareness of childhood cancer and to raise philanthropic funding to improve the treatment options and quality-of-life for our patients.
Douglas and Susan Jaques Matt and Jane Waxman in Honor of Becca Waxman
Friends and Family of Hannah Butler Friends and Family of Matt Johnson
Kirk and Kathy Johnson
Ms. Susie Bosch Fairview Warner LLC-Olga Megdal Family Eye Medical Group-Andrew E. Choy, MD & Constance Yamaguchi, MD Richard and Cindy Farber Mrs. Marilyn Finklestein in Memory of Jerry Z. Finklestein, MD Melvin C. Hoshiko, MD Mr. and Mrs. Chad Sanger Ms. Judith Smura in Memory of Edwin J. and Mark K. Smura MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach Auxiliary Memorial Radiation Oncology Medical Group Mr. and Mrs. William E. Clark
Abdi Towfigh Fund to Fight Leukemia-Aty Towfigh Commerce Evening Lions Club Joe and Mary Cuseo in Honor of Tony Cuseo Rio Hondo-Vernon Rotary Club in Memory of Megan Flynn Sister City Association of Commerce Steven P. Hall Ms. Joyce Wagner
Ms. Leilani B. Aguirre Mr. and Mrs. Mitch Baird Ms. Lorena Bantug Ms. Ann Buxton Dr. Anna Baumgartner and Mr. Herwig Baumgartner Ms. Ines Baumgartner Aarushi Bhargava, MD Mr. Henry Brawner Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Calkins Ms. Carmencita D. Caritativo Ms. Cammie Cassiano Friends and Family of Matthew Castillon and Norwalk High School Mr. William Childers Daryl and Laurie Chrispen in Honor of Kendyl Price Mr. and Mrs. Abrham C.C. DeLa Vega Mr. Aaron DeSimone John and Dorothy Doukakis in Honor of Dylan Doukakis Mr. and Mrs. Jesus Fernandez Mr. Roberto R. Flores Rebecca Freeman Phillip and Marsha Furst in Memory of Rivka Night Ronald and Jeannie Garcia RBD Family Trust Gilberto Gomez Ms. Tina Guidry Ms. Sandra Haas Ms. Janice Hackett Mr. John Hackett Ms. Shirley C. Hijirida in Memory of Ayron Yasumura Ms. Srija Jami Mr. and Mrs. Ken Kayoda Mr. Geoffrey Kelsch Terry McMullen Ms. Georgina Maghame Ms. Maria Mangahas Ms. Loida C. Mesina Mr. John C. Mitch MJG Environmental Services Allison M. Moore Ms. Jean Morado Jorian Morfin Ms. Madeline Morfin Mr. David Nam National Charity League-South Bay Mr. Allan S. Night Ms. Pricila P. Oporto Mr. Andrew Park Port of Long Beach Mr. Ken Phillips and Ms. Jane Russo Christopher and Nora Ramos Ms. Beatrice Robles Mr. Glynis K. Sager Mr. and Mrs. Jamie C. Santiago Mr. and Mrs. Noel Segovia Susan V. Shannon Ms. Rosemarie C. Soriano Mr. Kenneth Stone Dr. and Mrs. Gregory Strayer Mr. Peter Testa Mr. and Mrs. Michael Thio Yaohua Wang Allan and Lynn Yasumura Ms. Annie Zamora
This setting allows you to view available services and providers associated with your preferred location. You can change this setting at any time.
Cookies are required to view location-specific content.
We’ve developed a new tool on our website allowing you to see content most relevant to you and your preferred location. It’s our way of making the information you need, more personalized.
You’ll find this feature labeled “Set My Location” throughout the website. Most often, you’ll see it in the top left corner of every page.
You’ll also find a feature that allows you to set your location temporarily, as seen below.