Houston Radio DJ Kevin Kline Will Run 500-Mile, 13-Day Ultramarathon Across Texas for Kids with Cancer

HOUSTON (Dec. 11, 2009) - Kevin Kline, local morning radio host on The New 93Q in Houston, will run a nearly 500-mile solo ultramarathon across the state of Texas in 13 days to raise funds for Texas Children's Cancer Center.


Beginning in Dallas on December 20, Kline will spend his holiday running up to 10 hours daily, braving the wind, rain, cold and hills through Austin and San Antonio, ending his journey in Houston on the steps of Texas Children's Hospital on January 1, 2010. Kline's ambitious undertaking is the first of its kind in the state of Texas, and all proceeds raised will benefit research and patient services at Texas Children's Cancer Center. Donations can be made at www.stridesacrosstexas.org. Kline will start his 13-day odyssey across the Texas landscape from the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, where he will be cheered on by Texas Children's Cancer Center patients, families and hospital supporters. Through his run, Kline hopes to create more awareness about pediatric cancer throughout Texas, and to remind communities that each one of us can make a difference and create hope for a child with cancer.


"More children are surviving today than ever before - the survival rate of childhood cancer has increased to more than 75 percent," said Kline. "I'm running so that with each stride, breakthrough organizations like Texas Children's Cancer Center can continue to save lives and bring the survival rate to 100 percent."


Well known on the local radio scene, Kevin Kline is the president and founder of Snowdrop Foundation, which raises money for Texas Children's Cancer Center. Foundation funding supports the center's cutting edge work in pediatric cancer research, provides twice annual weekend excursions for patients, and awards college scholarships to pediatric cancer patients and childhood cancer survivors.


"Kevin's tireless passion and commitment to Texas Children's Cancer Center is so apparent in every venture he takes on and every effort he makes to create awareness about pediatric cancer. We feel so fortunate to have someone as tremendously devoted as Kevin as our friend and supporter," said Dr. David Poplack, medical director of Texas Children's Cancer Center.


All donations made to Strides Across Texas benefit Texas Children's Cancer Center, the largest pediatric cancer and hematology research and treatment center in the country. Texas Children's Cancer Center ranks 4th in the nation by U.S. News World Report, making the Center number 1 outside the northeast United States and in Texas. Children come to the Cancer Center from across the nation and around the world for state-of-the art treatments, many of which are unavailable elsewhere. To learn more, visit Texas Children's Cancer Center online.

About Texas Children’s Hospital

Texas Children’s Hospital, a not-for-profit health care organization, is committed to creating a healthier future for children and women throughout the global community by leading in patient care, education and research. Consistently ranked as the best children’s hospital in Texas, and among the top in the nation, Texas Children’s has garnered widespread recognition for its expertise and breakthroughs in pediatric and women’s health. The hospital includes the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute; the Feigin Center for pediatric research; Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women, a comprehensive obstetrics/gynecology facility focusing on high-risk births; Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus, a community hospital in suburban West Houston; and Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands, a second community hospital planned to open in 2017. The organization also created the nation’s first HMO for children, has the largest pediatric primary care network in the country and a global health program that’s channeling care to children and women all over the world. Texas Children’s Hospital is affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine. For more information, go to www.texaschildrens.org. Get the latest news by visiting the online newsroom and Twitter at twitter.com/texaschildrens.