Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation's "Reaching for the Cure" Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, 1K Kids Run Returns at Full Scale on Sunday, March 27, 2022

    IRVINE, CA, March 05, 2022 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation (PCRF) today announced the highly anticipated return of its "Reaching for the Cure" Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, 1K Kids Run on Sunday, March 27, 2022, after being canceled in 2020 and held only virtually in 2021 due to the pandemic. The race will return as a hybrid event, with a full-scale in-person field, plus virtual participants from across the US and Mexico, and a brand new presenting sponsor, AutoNation Toyota Irvine.

"We are extremely excited to be back in person with this magnificent event. The energy we are experiencing from runners, walkers, volunteers, and sponsors reflects our community's vigorous commitment to supporting children living with cancer and powering cures that will improve their lives. With AutoNation Toyota stepping up as presenting sponsor, we have great momentum!" said Jeri Wilson, Executive Director, Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation.

This upbeat demonstration of caring could not come at a more critical time. Donations to pediatric cancer research declined significantly during the past two years, making the Foundation's work of funding research that accelerates breakthroughs even more urgent. Despite these difficulties, the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation is more determined than ever to transform pediatric cancer care by funding research that speeds the discovery of innovative treatments, so that kids with cancer can beat their disease and enjoy happy, healthy, productive lives.

"We are thankful to all of our ardent and spirited supporters and want to give a special shout out of appreciation to AutoNation Toyota Irvine, the newest member of the PCRF family," added Ms. Wilson. "I also want to acknowledge our title sponsors -- Cox, Castle & Nicholson, Orange Aluminum, Seyfarth Shaw LLP, and Wahoo's Fish Taco -- who have been longstanding allies of the Foundation. The support provided by all of these community leaders is integral to advancing new science and meeting the needs created by chronic underinvestment in pediatric cancer research. We cannot overstate how much we value their partnership," Ms. Wilson closed.

"At AutoNation, it's about more than selling and servicing cars and trucks. It's about taking care of people. Our company is committed to driving out cancer, which is why we are so pleased to join forces with the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation to fund research and make a difference for kids with cancer and their families," said Mark Mehta, General Manager of AutoNation Toyota Irvine.

To help foster even wider community participation in the event, AutoNation Toyota Irvine is offering $500 off MSRP on the purchase of a new Toyota* for everyone who comes into the showroom at 9101 Research Drive, Irvine CA 92618 with their race bib for the three (3) months after the race.

The running of this 24th annual "Reaching for the Cure" kicks off and finishes at Irvine Valley College. Race day begins with the Wahoo's Fish Taco Half Marathon at 7:00 am, followed by the Orange Aluminum 5K Run at 7:15 am, the Seyfarth Shaw 10K Run at 7:45 am, the Cox, Castle & Nicholson 5K Walk at 9:30 am, and ending with the PCRF 1K Kids Fun Run at 11:00 am. Runners will enjoy a beautiful course that takes them along a combination of city streets and tree-lined trails, including stretches past Oak Creek, Windrow, and Woodbridge Community Parks as well as William Mason Regional Park. The event will conclude with a Finish Line Festival featuring Wahoo's burritos for all participants and attendees; an awards ceremony; 40 health and wellness exhibitors; food trucks and musical entertainment; a Gold Ribbon Reception Area with beer garden; a Kids Zone with rides, face painters, obstacle courses and more – all free for the whole family.

Whether you plan to join in person or virtually, there is still time to sign up! Participants have the option to register as a team with family, friends, and loved ones where they collect pledges and raise money for pediatric cancer research. Corporate teams are also welcome. Teams and individuals become eligible for prizes as their fundraising grows. All participants will receive a goodie bag, finisher's medal, and t-shirt. Half marathon participants will receive a performance long sleeve shirt as part of their registration.

This year's Corporate Level Sponsors are: Chicago Title, Commonwealth Land Title, First American Title Company, LBA Realty, LSA, and p11 Creative. Additionally, our Corporate Level Sponsor, Shulman Bastian Friedman & Bui LLP, serves as this year's Official Volunteer Sponsor.

This year's Classic Level Sponsors are: A.J. Kirkwood & Associates, Inc., Deloitte, Insperity, and Kulicke and Soffa Industries.

This year's Rainbow Level Sponsors are: AT&T and O'Donnell Real Estate.

Please visit www.reachingforthecure.org for more information. For questions regarding sponsorship opportunities or other ways to get involved, email [email protected] or call (949) 859-6312.

About the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation (PCRF)

Determined to transform pediatric cancer care via accelerating research breakthroughs, the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation has one goal: to make it possible for all children facing childhood cancer to beat their disease and realize their full potential. Its rigorous and competitive process for awarding research grants has contributed to pivotal advancements in the areas of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Immunotherapy/CAR T cells, Osteosarcoma, Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia, and Acute Myeloid Leukemia. The Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation is a GuideStar Platinum-rated charity and is ranked as an accredited charity by the Better Business Bureau. For more information, please visit www.PCRF-kids.org. or follow us at www.facebook.com/PCRFKIDS, www.instagram.com/pcrf_kids, and www.twitter.com/pcrf_kids.

About AutoNation, Inc.

AutoNation, a provider of personalized transportation services, is driven by innovation and transformation. As one of America's most admired companies, AutoNation delivers a peerless customer experience recognized by data-driven consumer insight leaders, Reputation and J.D. Power. Through its bold leadership and brand affinity, the AutoNation Brand is synonymous with "DRVPNK" and "What Drives You, Drives Us." AutoNation has a singular focus on personalized transportation services that are easy, transparent and customer-centric.

Please visit www.autonation.com, investors.autonation.com, and www.twitter.com/AutoNation, where AutoNation discloses additional information about the Company, its business, and its results of operations. Please also visit www.autonationdrive.com, AutoNation's automotive blog, for information regarding the AutoNation community, the automotive industry, and current automotive news and trends.

About Childhood Cancer

Cancer is the leading cause of death by disease for children under 19 years of age -- more than AIDS, asthma, cystic fibrosis, congenital anomalies and diabetes combined. Said another way, 1 in 285 children in the US will be diagnosed with cancer by the end of their teens. Due to research advances, overall survival rates have grown by 70 percent in the past 40 years. Still, about 20 percent of kids with pediatric cancer do not survive today. What's more, two-thirds of childhood cancer survivors will suffer long-lasting chronic health conditions from their treatment and one quarter of pediatric cancer survivors face a severe or life-threatening later life effect from their treatment. This is because most currently available pediatric treatments are derived from adult oncology and do not address the unique characteristics of pediatric cancers, do not provide the needed precision and/or are just too potent for developing bodies. Achieving more breakthroughs, so all children with cancer emerge healthy after treatment, requires increasing research momentum -- and that is contingent on investing more money in research.

*About the Promotional Offer

*Example STK# NS196686. 2022 Toyota Highlander LE AWD Automatic. MSRP $41,707 - $500 AutoNation Discount = $41,207. Plus $85 dealer document preparation charge, taxes, tags, registration fees, government fees, any finance charges, smog certificate of compliance or noncompliance (as applicable), and any emission testing charge total due at signing. Offer not applicable on Hybrid models and four-wheel-drive units. Must present race bib and proof of event registration for the offer to be valid. Offer expires June 30, 2022.

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