The team of 32, all sporting purple shirts, took the almost three mile hike around College of the Canyons to support four-year-old Aaliyah and other children diagnosed with cancer.
Aaliyah was diagnosed with leukemia when she was three and now has an “army” of people behind her.
“We started Aaliyah’s Army in her honor,” said Stephanie Montoya, Aaliyah’s mother.
So little Aaliyah and her army joined the 1,000 others during the Michael Hoefflin Foundation 2017 Walk for Kids with Cancer at College of the Canyons on Saturday to help support children diagnosed with the disease.
“(Aaliyah) ran almost the whole thing, she did not give up,” Montoya said. “I was tired, but she wouldn’t let me stop.”
The foundation, that reaches out to local families with children diagnosed with cancer, hosts two big fundraisers every year to raise money for the nonprofit’s activities.
The Michael Hoefflin Foundation not only provides financial support to families, but emotional support as well through events and gatherings.
“Ethan was diagnosed with a brain tumor at 5-months-old and we started receiving support from the Michael Hoefflin foundation pretty much right away,” said Ethan’s father Aaron Moore.
“It definitely means a lot to our family.”
The event also featured silent auctions, other support booths and food vendors.
“We appreciate the help and support,” said Moore. “We come out and meet other families that are dealing with similar situations. It’s a big help.”
