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RAAM Team Brings Christmas in July to Young Cancer Patients

Santa braves Houston’s summertime heat to spread holiday cheer among patients at the Children’s Cancer Hospital during an event arranged by the Cheniere Making Cancer History® Race Across America team. Photo by Barry Smith

Cyclists from Cheniere’s Making Cancer History® Race Across America, or RAAM, team celebrated Christmas in July with pediatric cancer patients from the Children’s Cancer Hospital at
MD Anderson.
Former RAM team member Kirk Gentle was on the scene July 16 to help the young patients decorate gingerbread men cookies, make reindeer antlers and more. The children were treated to ice cream sundaes, and Santa himself was there to jot down their holiday wishes. In addition, the cycling team’s pedal partner, neurofibromatosis patient Emily Parker, was front and center at the party to encourage all the young patients.
Since 2005, Cheniere’s team has raised more than $200,000 for neurofibromatosis research at MD Anderson. Neurofibromatosis is a progressive disorder that causes tumors to grow around the nerves. The team competes in RAAM, one of the most challenging endurance races in the world, as a symbolic demonstration of how teamwork, research, persistence and ingenuity can triumph over obstacles such as neurofibromatosis and other debilitating diseases. This year’s effort was part of an annual campaign that coordinates multiple fundraising events in support of cancer research, treatment and education at MD Anderson.

Promise - Fall 2009


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