Children’s Hospital Los Angeles recently hosted its second annual Walk and Play L.A. event on Saturday, June 2, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

CHLA president and CEO Paul Viviano, right, congratulated top fundraising team INIR Journey to Research, including Kathy Hauck, left, and her daughter Jia, sister and niece of Park Labrea News/Beverly Press publisher Karen Villalpando. (photo by Karen Villalpando)

The community event brought together patients, families and friends with CHLA staff and faculty. The 3K-walk has raised more than $300,000 since its inception.

“Walk and Play L.A. is about the community coming together in support of health care for our most precious resource – children,” said CHLA president and CEO Paul S. Viviano. “Every dollar raised at Walk and Play L.A. will support Children’s Hospital Los Angeles’ mission to create hope and build healthier futures, ensuring our patients receive the lifesaving and critical care they need.”

More than 1,500 individuals and over 130 teams participated in the walk around Exposition Park. The event also featured a family festival with entertainment by School of Rock, Daniel Dudley from Radio Disney and more. A sports clinic was hosted by professional athletes including coaches from the L.A. Galaxy, L.A. Kings alumni Daryl Evans, Matt Johnson and Pete Demers, Craig Mager and Geno Smith from the Los Angeles Chargers, and NFL alumni Terrell Thomas and Lawrence Jackson. It was personal for Jackson, who came to CHLA for asthma care when he was young and went on to play college football for USC and professionally in the NFL.

“I had breathing problems and serious allergies as a child, which made playing football a struggle early on,” Jackson said. “Children’s Hospital Los Angeles gave me the care and support I needed to step onto the football field and for that I’ll always be grateful.”

The top fundraising teams were INIR Journey to Research, Rex and the Heart Beaters and Paws for a Cause. Combined, the teams raised more than $90,000 for the hospital’s programs. Donations can still be made through July 31 by visiting walkandplayla.org.