Run, Don’t Walk to the 13th Annual ANF Group Tour de Broward

COMMUNITY NEWS

Run, Don’t Walk to the 13th Annual ANF Group Tour de Broward

By Jon Duka

For the past twelve years thousands of people have cycled, run or walked to for one common cause - to support Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital at its annual Tour de Broward event. Now in its thirteenth year, the need is greater than ever to raise funds for South Broward’s only pediatric hospital, which has become the leading children’s hospital in Broward and Palm Beach Counties. In Fiscal Year 2021, JDCH cared for children needing 61,607 hospital outpatient visits, 7,455 pediatric surgeries, and 9,538 admissions and observation stays.

The 13th Annual ANF Group Tour de Broward will take place Sunday, March 6th at Miramar Regional Park from 7:00 am-1:00 pm. If you can’t make it, have no fear, this year’s event is a hybrid, so anyone, anywhere can participate!

Participants can choose from 50K or 100K bicycle rides, or a 5K run or 3K walk. There will also be the sportsthemed “Power of Play Kid Zone” which will provide healthy, fun activities for children ages 13 and younger. Registration fees range from $15-$60 depending upon the event you sign up for.

Last year, more than 7,000 participants came out and raised in excess of $800,000 for the region’s largest pediatric facility serving Broward, Palm Beach, and northern MiamiDade counties.

“Philanthropy is an important part of the growth of our hospital and Tour de Broward is a fun way for people of all ages and abilities to help ensure our kids continue to have access to next level pediatric healthcare,” said Caitlin Stella, MPH, CEO of Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. In its ten-year history, the Tour de Broward has raised more than $5 million for pediatric healthcare in South Florida.

Funds from previous years have supported the hospital’s Heart Institute, which provides children with a complete continuum of care from diagnosis to repair of congenital defects and other cardiac dysfunctions. It houses the Pediatric Heart Transplant Program, one of only two of its kind in South Florida. Funds have also supported programs for the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, helping to improve the lives of many oncology patients and families. However, the need is greater because funds raised this year will help support the expansion of Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, as we add four more floors with cutting edge medical technology so we can continue to care for the children that come to us for care. ▸ Register at www.tourdebroward.com or at the park on the day of the event. For riders, there may be an additional fundraising commitment, although some exclusions apply.

Felica Bahadue, MD

Claire Smart, NP