ANF Tour de Broward Raises $250,000

Posted in: Local By Gilbert Alvarez Mar 10, 2010 - 6:27:28 AM

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ANF Tour de Broward Raises $250,000 to Benefit Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital

Monday, March 01 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

(Hollywood, Fla.) - The weather was about 44 degrees, but the chilly temperature did not deter the 1,500-plus walkers, runners, cyclists, spinning enthusiasts and hundreds of their supporters from participating in the inaugural ANF Tour de Broward event on Valentines Day. The event raised $250,000 toward the building of the new Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital in Hollywood - the first of its kind in Broward County.

Scheduled to open in the fall of 2011, the new 160,000-square-foot Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital is expected to meet the increasing demands for pediatric specialty care in the area. It will feature all private rooms, a pediatric oncology unit and medical/surgical areas. Upon completion of the project, Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital will have 204 licensed beds.

"At the Tour de Broward, we saw the community come together and claim the future by supporting a worthy cause," said Frank V. Sacco, president and chief executive officer of Memorial Healthcare System and the visionary behind the Tour.

The event staged five different fitness challenges - a 3K Family Fun Walk, 5K Race, 50K and 100K cycling tours and spin classes. Employees, volunteers, vendors and media joined forces to show their support for the ANF Tour de Broward, presented by zMotion. Everything provided at the event - from food to goodie bags and entertainment - was donated by local businesses, organizations and many other community supporters. The Broward Sheriff's Office provided escort for the cyclists, with many participants crediting the deputies for providing a safe ride.

WSVN 7 was the Tour's television sponsor. Kristi Krueger, morning anchor for WPGL Local 10, served as an emcee and also kicked off the 100K cycling event, while NBC 6 Sportscaster Joe Rose pumped up the crowd at the starting lines of the 3K Family Fun Walk and the 50K cycling event. The positive momentum of the ANF Tour de Broward even caught the attention of Reggae-fusion singer and rapper Sean Kingston, who pledged at the event to raise an additional $1 million for the construction of Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital. Other major sponsors included Beasley Broadcast Group Station, Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Maggie the Salon, Ellen's Ultimate Workout and many others.

"This was truly an amazing gathering of caring people, focused on improving this community through their support of a top-notch children's hospital," said Kevin Janser, vice president and executive director of the Memorial and Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Foundations. "We are grateful to everyone who participated in one way or another to make this event a success."

For a complete list of sponsors or to donate toward the construction of Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital, log on to www.tourdebroward.com. . To learn more about Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital, log on to www.jdch.com .