Cooper Cochran to serve as the run’s patient champion
Cooper Cochran waltzed into the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center pediatric infusion clinic in late November with a broad smile and a big cardboard box.
Sporting a Batman cape, the former UC Davis leukemia patient had returned on his 7th birthday with reminders for the children undergoing treatments for cancer, sickle cell anemia and other childhood diseases.
"Be Brave!" he told each of the children, handing them a package with a superhero cape and mask.
For Cooper, this mission was personal.
The Woodland native, who is serving as this year’s Credit Union SACTOWN Run patient champion, was diagnosed with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2010. Cooper was forced to learn a lot about coping with a devastating illness. And now it was time to pay it forward.
"He had the worst of the two types of leukemia, but endured his nearly four-year journey like a champ, remaining positive and joyful throughout both chemotherapy and radiation," said Cooper’s mom Cherie Trout.
"We dubbed him ‘Cooper the Trooper.’"
On his last day of chemotherapy, Cooper wore a superhero cape.
He then passed it on afterward to another child with cancer.
"I think it’s amazing what he’s doing to give back," said pediatric oncology nurse Katie Haertle, who cared for Cooper as a patient.
The sixth annual Credit Union SACTOWN Run is set for April 3.
The event helps raise money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, which includes Sacramento’s UC Davis Children’s Hospital. The SACTOWN event emulates the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run held in Washington, D.C. on the same day.
The race, organized by the Sacramento Running Association and sponsored by local credit unions, features a picturesque start and finish near the state Capitol.
Credit Unions for Kids is the brand under which America’s credit unions and affiliated organizations fundraise for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. To date, credit unions have raised more than $100 million since the introduction of the CU4Kids program back in 1996.
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals is an affiliation of children’s hospitals throughout the country. Each year these non-profit hospitals provide state-of-the-art care, cutting edge research and preventative health education.
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals treat more than 17 million patients each year, including 98 percent of all children needing heart or lung transplants and 88 percent of all children with cancer.
The SACTOWN 5k run begins at 8:00 a.m. and the 10-mile race begins at 8:40 a.m. The UC Davis Children’s Hospital Miracle Mile is set for 7:30 a.m.
Registration is available at RunSACTown.org. Cost for the 5k is $40 through April 1 and $45 from April 2-3. The 10-miler costs $60 through April 1 and $65 from April 2-3.
The Miracle Mile is free to kids 12 and under until April 2 and $10 at packet pickup and on race day. The cost for adults is $10 until April 2 and $15 on race day.
The SACTOWN Run continues the 2016 Buzz Oates Run SAC Series, a yearlong competition for area runners of all ages and abilities. For more information, visit RunSACRaceSeries.com.
The 5k race includes the Credit Union Team competition, with the lowest combined time for all three team members determining the winner.
The event serves as USA Track & Field’s Pacific Association Ten-Mile Championship.
The Sacramento Running Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to finding ways to encourage people of all ages and abilities to run. The SRA is committed to developing new, quality running events that appeal to a broad variety of runners.
Other SRA events include the Gold Rush 50k on May 14, the 34th annual California International Marathon on Dec. 4 and the recently concluded Super Sunday Run.
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