The 17th annual Wolfson Children's Challenge, presented by Subaru of Jacksonville, will return to downtown Jacksonville on Jan. 31. The event will feature a 5K and a one-mile fun run, both kicking off at the Winston Family YMCA in Riverside.
Once again, the course will pass by the hospital’s front entrance, where patients and staff will cheer on participants. Those who want to give back to Wolfson Children’s can be a part of the event by signing up as a sponsor, organizing a team or signing up individually.
Registration is now open at WolfsonChildrensChallenge.com. Winston Family YMCA is located at 221 Riverside Ave, Jacksonville.
Every year, the Wolfson Children’s Challenge honors 55 current and former patients of all ages who represent the wide range of conditions we treat at Wolfson Children’s. Known as the “Wolfson 55,” each child and family has a unique story to tell about the strength and hope it takes to fight a health battle. The Wolfson Children’s Challenge was co-founded in 2009 by the Baptist Health Foundation and Paul Wilson, whose then-newborn son, Luke, underwent corrective surgery for spina bifida just hours after his birth. Wilson and others hoped to raise $5,000 by running 55 miles, honoring the year Wolfson Children’s Hospital opened in 1955. Wilson’s mission has far surpassed the event’s initial goal, with the Wolfson Children’s Challenge raising nearly $5 million to date.
All proceeds benefit Wolfson Children’s Rehabilitation, a unique resource for kids’ health in Northeast Florida and South Georgia.
At Wolfson Children’s Hospital and several outpatient clinics, Wolfson Children’s Rehabilitation offers comprehensive therapy services to help children of all ages with sensory, movement, feeding and communication difficulties. These clinics exclusively serve children and are designed and equipped with children in mind.
This marks the event’s second year in downtown Jacksonville and will include a variety of family-friendly activities, including the Kids Village. The day will also celebrate courageous patients and offer fun for all ages.
