Team Starlight Runs Miles to Deliver Smiles

At the end of February, Starlight staff traveled to Orlando, Florida to participate in the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend and represent Starlight as the event’s official celebrated charity. 

We interacted with runners and expo visitors to spotlight Starlight’s mission and our partnership with Disney, including our Disney-themed Starlight Hospital Wear!

Visitors who stopped by our booth could explore a variety of our Disney-themed Hospital Wear featuring their favorite characters while interacting with members of our team. Guests were invited to support hospitalized kids by donating a Starlight Gown, and thanks to those who went the extra mile, we raised $10,500 to fund 250 new hospital gowns!

New to this year’s event was Team Starlight, a group of passionate runners who represented Starlight throughout the race weekend. Over 50 runners from all over the country traveled to Orlando to support Starlight’s mission by fundraising and running miles to deliver smiles. Through their collective efforts, Team Starlight raised over $53,000!

“My cousin, Isabella, passed in 2018 from rhabdomyosarcoma. She was a kind and beautiful girl with the biggest heart. She had a smile that could light up any room. Even though I didn't see Isabella that often, we were able to play like we saw each other every day. I was able to talk Disney with her since she was a Disney fanatic just like me. I joined Team Starlight for Isabella since she is my Disney Princess Angel. I always wanted to do something for kids struggling in the hospital and Team Starlight gave me the opportunity.” - Team Starlight runner, Aubrey 

And once again, Starlight CEO, Adam Garone kicked off each race by speaking to the runners about how Starlight delivers happiness to seriously ill kids and how their participation in the race helps fund more programs for hospitals across the country. This year he was joined by his family, who ran in celebration of his niece Charlie being 4 years cancer-free!