What’s CHOC and Why Should Disney Fans Participate?
On May 22nd, 2021, a beloved Disneyland tradition will go virtual.
The Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) hosts a Walk in the Park.
This event has grown into the largest walk for pediatric charity in America.
Alas, Coronavirus and Disneyland’s yearlong closure forced a different approach for 2021.
For the first time ever, the CHOC Walk will go virtual!
MickeyBlog had an opportunity to speak with Zach Abrams, Assistant Vice President of Community Engagement at Children’s Healthcare of Orange County (CHOC), about the event.
Source: CHOC
Here’s what you need to know to participate in the 2021 Virtual CHOC Walk!
Spoiler: You’re gonna want to do this!
MickeyBlog: When did CHOC start, what was its purpose, and how much has it grown since the first year?
Source: CHOC
Zach Abrams: Over six decades ago, Orange County, here in Southern California, was changing from farmland, with its many orange groves, strawberry fields, walnut trees, and rows of eucalyptus trees to an emerging and highly prosperous suburbia.
This change was accelerated with the arrival of Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom that would forever transform the concept of outdoor family entertainment around the world and, on a local level, positively impact the communities surrounding it.
(Editor’s note: Disneyland was nicknamed the Magic Kingdom before the introduction of the actual Magic Kingdom in Disneyland.)
Source: CHOC (Note: This Photo Was Taken before the Pandemic)
This change brought great need and soon the idea of creating a children’s hospital for Orange County was born. A small group of pediatricians and local business leaders (including Walt Disney) soon became determined to build a children’s hospital for the growing community.
Walt Disney’s support and enthusiasm for establishing Children’s Hospital of Orange County joined other initiatives of the 1960s such as the Anaheim Convention Center and Angel Stadium in fully establishing Orange County as a thriving, stand-alone community destined for a promising future.
Source: CHOC
Since opening in 1964, CHOC has nurtured, advanced, and protected the health and well-being of children through innovative care and state-of-the-art facilities. What started as a 62-bed children’s hospital – the first in Orange County – has grown into a pediatric health care system serving all of Southern California. To reflect this stature, we’ve even adopted a new name – transforming from Children’s Hospital of Orange County to Children’s Healthcare of Orange County and serving all of Southern California.
MickeyBlog: What are the event’s connections between Disneyland Resort and CHOC?
Source: CHOC
Zach Abrams: November 10, 1990, was an important day for CHOC. On this date patients and staff moved from the original hospital building (constructed in 1964). As they moved into a new, six-story building, nearly 1,000 men, women, and children walked past the new hospital for the inaugural co-sponsored CHOC/Disneyland Community Walk.
This first CHOC Walk stretched over five miles, starting at Main Place Mall in Santa Ana, past CHOC and through neighborhoods to the Disneyland Park parking lot. By its third year, the event had outgrown its route and moved to South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa for the next nine years.
In 2002, the fundraising event returned to “The Happiest Place on Earth” and was transformed into “CHOC Walk in the Park,” presented by the Disneyland Resort. In this all-new incarnation walkers had the unique opportunity to stroll a 5K route through Disneyland Park, Disney’s California Adventure Park and the Downtown Disney District, experiencing early morning magic long before each area opened to the public.
Source: CHOC (Note: This Photo Was Taken before the Pandemic)
Now, as CHOC Walk celebrates its 30th anniversary, COVID-19 has changed our lives throughout 2020/2021, requiring new dynamics to the event and resulting in unique, virtual experiences and opportunities. To continue building upon the CHOC Walk’s storied legacy while protecting the health and safety of our community, this year’s Walk journey has been reimagined to adapt to our new reality as Virtual CHOC Walk.
Through all of this transition we’re grateful for our continuing collaboration and sponsorship with Disneyland Resort and look forward to our first-ever Virtual CHOC Walk on May 22 at 1:00 p.m. PST.
MickeyBlog: With CHOC Walk going virtual on May 22, how many participants are more local versus out of the area?
Source: CHOC
Zach Abrams: Naturally, most of our participants are from throughout Southern California. However, thanks to many influencers, blogs, and websites such as MickeyBlog.com, we now have supporters from across the country. In the past we’ve also had support from as far away as Australia, Japan, and Mexico.
MickeyBlog: How much has this event raised for the children’s hospital over the past 30 years?
Zach Abrams: Over its 30-year history, the event has raised more than $37.5 million for CHOC.
MickeyBlog: Has there been any thought about maintaining a virtual component from now on for guests who don’t get to Disneyland Resort regularly?
Source: CHOC (Note: This Photo Was Taken before the Pandemic)
Zach Abrams: If the last year has taught us anything it’s that ingenuity and change can be very beneficial friends. I don’t want to speculate on next year’s plans but that’s certainly something under consideration.
MickeyBlog: What is the primary use of funds – what procedures/treatments need the most attention?
Zach Abrams: In the early months of 2020, our world was turned upside down by COVID-19. No one could have predicted its lingering effects in every sector, including healthcare. But thanks to the past 30 years of CHOC Walk fundraising, CHOC was well-positioned to respond quickly and effectively and minimize the negative impacts of this global health crisis.
Your fundraising will help us provide vital resources to our families in a time of crisis and is essential to the well-being of our patients during these unprecedented times. Every gift goes toward health programs, education and research for CHOC, helping support critical services during the COVID-19 pandemic like:
Source: CHOC
MickeyBlog: Zach, is there anything else people should be aware of prior to the Virtual CHOC Walk on May 22?
Zach Abrams: Oh, yes! Everything they need to know about registering and participating can be found at choc.org. Also, if anyone wants to help spread the news of this worthy cause they should always utilized #chocwalk.
Lastly, we’re having our last webinar and participant rally this Saturday, May 15 at 11:00 a.m. PST. We would love to have everyone join us. You can find us Saturday at:
https://www.chocwalk.org/Static/walkwebinars
Source: CHOC (Note: This Photo Was Taken before the Pandemic)
MickeyBlog wants to extend our gratitude to Mr. Abrams for generously taking the time to provide details about the CHOC Walk!
For those of you who want to support the CHOC Walk, here’s all you need to do:
“Step 1: Register
Step 2: Raise a minimum of $50
Step 3: Tune in to the CHOC Walk Livestream, May 22 @ 1pm
Step 4: Honor the Day Your Way
Step 5: Share your experience on Social Media #chocwalk
Step 6: Stay tuned after the livestream for the CHOC Walk Stream-a-Thon (especially fun for Gamers in the family)”
