For Good: Run with the herd at Tampa event for Children's Cancer Center

If you swing by Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park on Sept. 27, you might end up doing a double take.

Yes, those are cows -- standing up or jogging -- all over the park.

To be fair, they are the iconic Chick-fil-A spotted "cows'' taking part in the annual Fall Stampede for the Children's Cancer Center in Tampa.

For the third year, Chick-fil-A is a partner with the nonprofit in one of the group's major yearly fundraisers. Also stepping up is MicroLumen, the Oldsmar-based manufacturer of high-performance medical tubing, with a $10,000 donation toward the event.

"We depend on support from our corporate partners so we can accomplish our mission – to provide emotional, financial and educational support to families of children with cancer,'' says Steve Manuel, director of development of the Children's Cancer Center. "The doctors and nurses have their job on the medical side of it, and other organizations are chasing the cure. We're here to give that daily support to kids and families when they need it the most.''

Now in its 40th year, CCC provides 24 support programs to 900 families. Its $1.1 million budget comes from individual and corporation donations and grants. 

Chick-fil-A is one of the nonprofit's most steady supporters, with both the Fall Stampede and monthly dinners it provides for families at the Thursday "Oncology Night'' at the center's headquarters on Cypress Street. Another big contributor is Panera Bread, which has funded renovations to the nonprofit's building, along with annual donations for other programming.

The stampede at Tampa's waterfront park includes a 5K chip-timed run and a 1-mile Family Fun Walk, kids' events, activities sponsored by the area's professional sports teams and snacks provided by the chicken fast-food company. And of course, there will be plenty of cows for photo opportunities. 

"It's really like a free carnival the whole family can enjoy in a beautiful location,'' Manuel says. "And for those going through the illness, it's a happy break where kids can just be kids, having fun.''

This year's Stampede Child Ambassador is Ava, a 5-year-old diagnosed with kidney cancer who underwent surgery and months of chemotherapy. She, her parents and 8-year-old brother utilized several of the programs offered at the center. Ava is now cancer free.

The event has an important mission: To help fund the multitude of programs provided to families going through the cancer journey with their children.

In its inaugural year, the stampede netted $42,000; last year, it brought in $60,000. Early registrations indicate this year will draw about 1,500 runners -- the largest number to date.

The cost is $25 for pre-race registrations, and $30 on the day of the race.