Donut Dash take place March 9th

Hundreds of doughnut-loving runners will be participating in the fifth annual Donut Dash, benefiting the Child Life Program at Sutter Children's Center, Sacramento. The fun run will bring participants of all ages out to Land Park on Saturday, March 9, to take part in the four-mile, four-doughnut challenge. Registration is still open and filling up fast for this one-of-a-kind event!

 The Donut Dash run was founded five years ago by Zack Wandell, a Sutter Child Life volunteer. Zack saw firsthand what extra funds could bring to Sutter's young patients and took it upon himself to organize this unique race. What started out as just a few runners has turned into a popular community event that last year alone brought out more than 1,000 participants and raised $35,000 for Sutter's Child Life Program.

 Amy Medovoy, coordinator of the Child Life Program, said the money raised makes a big difference in the lives of pediatric patients in the hospital.

 "With the proceeds raised by the Donut Dash, we are able to purchase toys, activities, books, movies, educational tools, electronics and other items to help make our young patients' stay at the hospital as comfortable as possible," Medovoy said. "This past year we were able to launch the Beads of Courage program to help children with serious illness and their families to record, and tell their own stories of survival through beads. Thanks to the Donut Dash we were also able to purchase children's wheelchairs and exercise equipment for children and their families."

 The Donut Dash is a family friendly event for the entire community. Participants run/jog or walk two miles, eat four doughnuts at Marie's Donut shop, and then run two miles back to the finish line. Wandell says those who are less ambitious can eat six doughnut holes instead of the four doughnuts, but either way, it's fun for the whole family.

 "We get all kinds of people out there," Wandell said. "We get runners, walkers, joggers and baby strollers. It's fun for everyone. Dogs on leashes are allowed too."

 Many of the families and children who have been part of the Child Life Program attend the Donut Dash and cheer on the participants or take part in the race themselves. Physicians, staff and volunteers from Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento also take part in the event.

"This is a fun event that really makes a difference in children's lives," Wandell said. "I encourage everyone to sign up to help brighten up the day of a pediatric patient in the hospital."

 For more information on Donut Dash 5, and to register or make a donation, visit www.DonutDash.org. 

Sutter Children's Center is a comprehensive children's hospital inside Sutter Memorial Hospital in east Sacramento. It serves 7,000 children a year from 26 California counties and beyond, including Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, El Dorado, Solano, San Joaquin and Amador counties. Among its specialized pediatric services are an 80-bed, Level III neonatal intensive care unit, heart surgery, oncology, neurosurgery, orthopedics and clinics for epilepsy, childhood diabetes, cleft palates, obesity and many other diseases that affect children from birth to 18 years old.