We're Making A Difference
The Run, Walk n Roll 5K was started in 2019 to raise money for the Palliative Care Program at The University of Michigan’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. Claire Sheeren, the Executive Director and co-founder, originated this fundraising event after seeing the difference Palliative Care made directly for her family.
Claire's older sister Elizabeth has a complex, progressive, and incurable immune disease and has greatly benefitted from the work of the Palliative Care team at Mott.
The success from our first event enabled us to start the Elizabeth's Courage Fund within Michigan Medicine, and to date we have raised over $590,000 to support Palliative Care.
What is Palliative Care?
Palliative Care, alongside other medical teams in the hospital system, focuses on improving the quality of life of patients with chronic and/or terminal diseases. Palliative Care’s holistic approach focuses on patient comfort that includes reducing pain and nausea, minimizing hospital stays, and supporting the emotional needs of the child and family.
- Holistic Approach
- Focus on Patient Comfort
- Reduces Pain & Nausea
- Minimizes Hospital Stays
- Supports Emotional Needs of Child & Family
Programs We Help Fund
Child Life Specialist
We are fully funding a dedicated Child Life Specialist within the Palliative Care team - to help patients cope with the stress of hospitalizations and serious illness, and to provide bereavement support for siblings and parents.
Art Therapy
This year, we hope to add a dedicated Art Therapist for Palliative Care patients! Art therapy helps children express emotions and feelings, and provides coping techniques for navigating medical challenges - for both patients and parents.
Mood Lifters ™
This intensive 15-week mental health wellness group is geared specifically towards parents of children with complex healthcare needs. More than 80 families have already benefitted from this program, and their participation was fully funded by Elizabeth's Courage Fund.
Music Therapy
A dedicated Music Therapist for Palliative Care patients joined the team in 2022. She tailors music therapy for the inpatient, outpatient, and home settings (via Zoom) to help patients cope with the burden of serious illness, and experience the joy and healing power of music.
"Even during our darkest days, Music Therapy would light our room."
Medical Massage Therapy
This program provides massage therapy to patients followed by the Palliative Care team in the inpatient setting. 100% of patients surveyed report reduction in pain, and improvement in both energy and mood.
Our Past Event Success
2019: Run, Walk n Roll 5K
- 44 Corporate Sponsors
- 550 Registrants
- 50 Volunteers
- Total Raised: $46,027
2020: Virtual Fundraiser
- Modified due to COVID
- 330 Donations
- Donors from 40 States & 3 countries
- Total Raised: $39,001
2021: Run, Walk n Roll 5K
- 331 Donations
- 188 Registrants
- Participants in 18 States & 5 countries
- Total Raised: $87,500
2022: Run, Walk n Roll 5K
- 73 Sponsors
- 600+ Donations
- 760+ Registrants
- Total Raised: $197,569
2023: Run, Walk n Roll 5K
- 91 Sponsors
- 542 Donations
- 800+ Registrants
- 6 Continents
- 17 Warrior Awards
- Total Raised: $211,176
2024: Virtual Fundraiser
- Please Donate or Sponsor
- and Make 2024 a Big Win
- ??? Donations
- Total Raised: $???
