Walk Run Roll | Tampa, FL
Saturday, March 23, 2024
Taking Strides To End Pediatric Cancer!
Vincent’s Journey
We would like to thank you for joining us for this very important cause and fight. This is a race that is near and dear to our heart. Our journey began in May 2021, when our youngest son, Vincent, who was then 4 years old, started having very intense nighttime terrors. We took him to his pediatrician, and he was treated for a possible ear infection. After about a month of going back and forth to the doctors trying to figure out what was bothering him at night, we all started getting concerned. He also started telling us that his head was “messing with him” when he was trying to sleep. We were ordered an MRI stat, and we heard the hardest news in the entire world, that something was found. A biopsy was performed and on June 18, 2021, he was diagnosed with Stage II Rhabdomyosarcoma, a type of cancer that mainly affects children.
Our world felt like it was crumbling before our eyes, but we NEVER lost faith or hope. Vincent went through 10 months of frontline chemotherapy with 6 weeks of proton therapy radiation. During proton therapy, Vincent was put under anesthesia Monday through Friday for 6 weeks to receive his treatments. After Vincent’s frontline protocol he received 6 months of maintenance chemo. Vincent stayed strong — mentally and physically throughout the entire time. Even on the worst days, he always found ways to calm himself down and smile. We were blessed throughout the entire course of treatments with miracles of healing and strength.
We are happy to say Vincent is in remission. As parents, we needed to find a way to keep our spirits lifted and strong for the sake of our family. We engaged in monthly running challenges. During our frontline treatments we would run almost daily, praying, reflecting, and taking a mental break. Our KidStrong race was created during our long runs. Along the way we met some amazing people fighting this battle and their fight also became our fight. We learned some troubling information such as, only 4% of cancer funding goes to pediatrics. The list of medications for pediatric cancer is small compared to adult cancer treatment medications. This needs to change. We came to learn that pediatric cancer is not “rare” like people seem to think. Our children and our future deserve more. With our story we are finding a passion and a purpose to advocate for families touched with pediatric cancer. We hope you join us to race for a cure and make a difference for our children. NOBODY FIGHTS ALONE. -The DiTinno Family
Event Details
Event Schedule
Saturday, March 23, 2024
Registration
8:00 am
4,300 Step Challenge
8:30 am
5k Run
9:00 am
Family Fun Walk
10:30 am
Family Fun Zone
8:00 am to 12:00 pm
Event Location
Raymond James Stadium
4201 N Dale Mabry Highway
Tampa, Florida 33607
Can’t make it to the physical event? Join us for our Virtual 5k & 4,300 Step Challenge at your own pace and pick your own location!
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Our Mission
National Pediatric Cancer Foundation (NPCF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding research to eliminate childhood cancer.
Top Rated Charity
The National Pediatric Cancer Foundation has received a perfect 100% score for financial health and transparency and is the top-rated childhood cancer charity in the United States by Charity Navigator.
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