Monday, August 2, 2010

Columbus, Ohio – Hope Street Kids held its eleventh annual Hope Street Kids Family Night at the Zoo on Saturday, July 31, 2010 from 6:30-10 p.m. at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, 4850 West Powell Road in Powell. Nearly 900 families were in attendance, raising over $130,000 to further pediatric research efforts.

Event emcee Ellie Merritt from NBC4 News Columbus, kicked-off the program featuring performances by Star Performance Academy, Riverside Rats Band and DJ Gary Parks, as well as visits from Stinger of the Columbus Blue Jackets and of course everyone's favorite animals! Families took some time out from monkeying around to enjoy the zoo-per delicious food served barbecue-style by Bob Evans Farms. Guests enjoyed wild private viewings of the gibbons and orangutans—but no one could be found in The Roadhouse nocturnal building after dusk! The cost to attend was $100 per family. Proceeds raised at the event support the Hope Street Kids Pediatric Cancer Research Grants and Fellowship Program.

"This event has become a wildly popular Columbus family tradition and an opportunity to help bring hope and promise to the thousands of children diagnosed with cancer each year," said HSK Co-founder former Congresswoman Deborah Pryce.

The Hope Street Kids Family Night at the Zoo is presented by Limitedbrands. Major sponsors include American Electric Power, Bob Evans Farms, Giant Eagle, Schottenstein Zox and Dunn, and The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company. Media sponsors include NBC 4 and Clear Channel Radio - Columbus.

Founded in 1999 by Congresswoman Deborah Pryce and Randy Walker, Hope Street Kids is dedicated in memory of their daughter, Caroline Pryce Walker, who lost her battle that year to neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive childhood cancer. Caroline's parents helped shape the mission of the organization and continue to support it today. The organization is committed to the elimination of childhood cancer through pioneering research, advocacy and education. Since its inception, HSK has raised over $10 million, which enabled funding of 92 research projects at leading institutions across the country, including The Ohio State University, Nationwide Children's Hospital and Rainbow Babies Children's Hospital in Cleveland.

Each year, nearly 13,500 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer and more than 40,000 children and adolescents are currently in treatment. Cancer is the #1 cause of death by disease in children. One child out of 5 who is diagnosed with cancer dies and 3 out of 5 who survive cancer suffer devastating long-term side effects.

Last year, Hope Street Kids joined forces with CureSearch for Children's Cancer. CureSearch funds the lifesaving, collaborative research of the Children's Oncology Group, the world's largest, cooperative pediatric cancer research organization that treats 90% of children in the U.S., at more than 200 hospitals in North America. Under the CureSearch flag, the Hope Street Kids name and program continues to focus on both local Ohio and national pioneering pediatric cancer research efforts, enhancing the CureSearch current continuum of scientific research.

"The addition of the Hope Street Kids to CureSearch will accelerate the Children's Oncology Group research from the bench to the bedside, said John L. Lehr, President and CEO, CureSearch for Children's Cancer, and bring us closer to our goal of a 100% cure rate. Together, we will reach the day when every child with cancer is guaranteed a cure."

About Hope Street Kids

Hope Street Kids mission is to eliminate childhood cancer through pioneering research, advocacy and education. The program was founded by Congresswoman Pryce and Randy Walker in memory of their nine-year-old daughter, Caroline Pryce Walker, who lost a valiant battle against neuroblastoma on September 4, 1999. Since its inception, Hope Street Kids has raised more than $10 million to support its battle to eliminate childhood cancer, and awarding over 92 grants and fellowships to more than 36 leading pediatric cancer institute's across the United States. For more information, visit: www.hopestreetkids.org

About CureSearch for Children's Cancer

CureSearch for Children's Cancer funds and supports the lifesaving, collaborative research of the Children's Oncology Group, the world's largest cooperative pediatric cancer research organization, which treats 90% of children with cancer in the United States. By supporting the Children's Oncology Group at more than 230 hospitals in North America and around the world, CureSearch enables children with cancer to receive world-class expertise at a hospital close to home. For more information, visit: www.CureSearch.org.

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