JourneyCare Duck Race raises $21,000 for pediatric patients

Posted August 22, 2018 11:00 pm

April Anderson of Park Ridge and her daughters Guiliana, left, and Graciella, make a new friend during JourneyCare's annual Duck Race and Pool Party fundraiser in Barrington. Courtesy of JourneyCare

Submitted by Elisabeth Mistretta for JourneyCare

Crowds cheer for the swimming rubber ducks racing to the finish line at JourneyCare's Duck Race and Pool Party in Barrington, but the real stars of the evening are the nonprofit agency's pediatric patients.

This annual fundraiser benefits JourneyCare's All About Kids pediatric program, while simultaneously celebrating the children the program serves throughout 10 Illinois counties. In this region, JourneyCare provides hospice, palliative care and other post-acute services to both children and adults living with serious and life-threatening illness, while also operating inpatient hospice centers in Barrington, Chicago, Glenview, Arlington Heights and Woodstock.

At the Duck Race, pediatric patients and their families are invited join JourneyCare staff and volunteers in a special VIP tent for dinner, activities and music, before joining the community for an evening swim at Barrington's Aqualusion Water Park.

Sponsored rubber ducks also race six heats down the waterslide, with winning ducks' sponsors earning prizes like tickets to the Chicago Botanic Garden and improv theater. This year, race supporters raised $21,000 at the Aug. 11 fundraiser.

"The Duck Race is an opportunity for our pediatric families to engage in a community event where they are among other families that share similar experiences and lifestyles," JourneyCare Child Life Specialist Jennifer Mangers said. "It's a chance to be a part of a group where the focus is not on a child with an illness, but instead it's simply a day to relax and have fun at the pool."

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Christopher and David Benavides of Lake Forest participate Duck Race activities to support their brothers, Alejandro and Fernado, who are part of JourneyCare's All About Kids pediatric program. Courtesy of JourneyCare

C.J. Geier of Barrington shares lunch with his mom, Kathleen Hill, right, sister Kadyn and friend Phoenix in the VIP tent for pediatric patients. Courtesy of JourneyCare

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