The 2nd Annual St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital Trike-A-Thon in The Bahamas is all set to return to Sandyport on Friday, January 27 to raise money for St. Jude's Hospital -- the world's premier center for the research and treatment of pediatric cancer and other catastrophic childhood diseases.
Organizers hope to repeat last year's tremendous success where preschoolers from Tambearly and The Meridian Schools raised over $13,000.
At St. Jude's, no child from anywhere in the world is ever denied treatment because of the family's inability to pay. As a result, St. Jude's relies heavily on community-based fundraising programs around the world like the Trike-A-Thon.
There are currently two active St. Jude patients from The Bahamas.
Sandals Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Sandals and Beaches Resorts, has returned as the main sponsor, and the line-up of participating schools has expanded with the coming on board of the Lyford Cay International School.
A St. Jude's Hospital tradition for more than 25 years, Trike-A-Thon is a fun, week-long curriculum for daycare centers and pre-schools, designed to raise funds, get the public involved and raise awareness through interactive activities. Children learn riding, toy safety lessons through a series of interactive stories from special characters, Bikewell Bear and Pedals the Bunny.
On the last day of Trike-A-Thon week (Friday, January 27) participating children will bring their trikes or riding-toys to the specially marked and supervised course at Sandyport to practice the safety lessons they have learned and raise funds for the hospital. The community can sponsor children in Trike-A-Thon by pledging an amount-per-lap or making a one-time donation. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. under the theme "Give thanks for the healthy kids in your life, and give to those who are not".
The event is open to children ages two to six years old. Residents of Sandyport are invited to participate by reporting to the designated area with riding gear and helmet. There will be a small registration fee of $5 per child to cover food and drink -- proceeds from which will be donated to the Princess Margaret Crisis Centre.
Sandals Foundation director of programs, Heidi Clarke, commended the charity and commented on the Sandals Foundation's involvement.
"St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital plays a major role in treating and developing cures for children across the world. The Sandals Foundation is proud to be affiliated with a charity dedicated to making a difference in people's lives."
The Sandals Foundation plays an active role across the Caribbean with a focus on community, education and the environment. The Foundation believes that while working with communities to tackle a myriad of issues, strategic programs directed sustainable and positive impact, can be developed to better the lives of the Caribbean people.
In 2010, St. Jude's was ranked the most trusted charity in the United States and was named the top children's cancer hospital in the 2010-2011 Best Children's Hospitals rankings published by U.S. News & World Report. For more information, visit www.stjude.org.

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