Over the past decade, the run has raised more than $900,000 for CHKD and helped in countless areas of need – supporting the CHKD child abuse program, purchasing incubators for the NICU and funding The King’s Daughters Milk Bank at CHKD. Funds raised at the event this past May will be used to purchase a new transport unit for the hospital – a state-of-the-art mobile intensive care unit where even the tiniest patients can receive life-saving treatment en route to the hospital.

For Team Super Silas, pictured here, The King’s Daughters RunWalk for the Kids is more than just a race. It is an opportunity for the Canfield family to lace up their tennis shoes and don their superhero gear in a show of love and support for CHKD. The Canfields do this for a reason that many RunWalk participants share. “We do it because we want to give back to CHKD,” says Erica Canfield, Silas’ mom.

Silas was born with chronic kidney disease and has spent more than 75 days in CHKD in less than four years, including a six-week stay in the NICU after birth. He has undergone multiple treatments and surgeries with the attitude of a champion, earning a well-deserved “Super Silas” title. “CHKD has given our family so much,” says Erica. “Team Super Silas is just one way our family and friends can show appreciation for the amazing care we have received.”

It takes months of planning and the dedicated efforts of countless individuals and fundraising teams to make this event an annual success. Many of the super heroes involved are patients and their families like the Canfields, some are employees of CHKD and others have never had a personal experience with a children’s hospital. But the one thing they all have in common is an understanding of just how vital this local resource is to our community. For more information on how you can train, participate or volunteer, visit runwalkforthekids.org.