Welcome to my CHOC Walk Page.... Here is my story! I'm so excited to be participating in the 2023 CHOC Walk in the Park! This will mark my 16th year raising funds for CHOC. I can't wait to reunite with our Walk community to share stories of love, hope, faith, memories and share stories of our reasons of why we walk. It truly is a experience unlike any other. The feeling of gratitude, love and hope overwhelms me and brings tears to me eyes. Hearing stories, seeing the children we walk for, their smiles, their faces is a blessing. I started participating in the walk in Memory of a dear friend Yolanda de la Riva. Yoli worked at CHOC. I remember her laughter, it was so contagious, you could hear it from far away, it made you happy, it did not matter if you knew her or not. Yoli was diagnosed with cancer but continued to work at CHOC for as long as she could while fighting her own fight. Yoli passed away on Dec 14, 2006 after fighting a courageous fight. She is missed daily by her son Garrett, sister & brothers. Yoli's laugh, love for life, her family & friends and memory will always be remembered. I joined CHOC Walk in the Park to keep Yoli's Voice, memory and love for her CHOC kids alive and I will continue to do so as long as I can. In August of 2007 my nephew Jon Paul was born with a Hernia; he was first seen at Corona Regional Hospital. They were not able to help him because of how young he was, it increased the complexity of the surgery so they referred him out to CHOC Hospital. Jon Paul underwent Hernia correction surgery at 5 months of age, Dr Gibbs and the entire medical team at CHOC and St Joseph Hospital were amazing. Belen & Rene were able to stay in the same room with him, they were provided with a bed and full amenities. Jon Paul is now a healthy, active, smart, handsome young man getting ready to start his Junior year.. he is my Future Valevictorian.We couldn't be prouder of this young man. Jon Paul is just one of my reasons why I participate in the CHOC Walk. In February of 2019, at just over 5 months old, my handsome Godson, papas Levi was admitted to CHOC due to apparent failure to thrive. After days of extensive testing and to our great dismay, his doctors found cancerous tumors in his little brain and abdomen. One of my biggest blessing was being able to baptize my handsome at CHOC with his family & friends around us. After weeks of biopsies, surgeries, radiation, and chemotherapy at CHOC, Levi was called home and passed away on March 30th, only 8 weeks after diagnosis. Levi the Lion as he was known at only 6 months old showed so much bravery, courage & love. My handsome papas showed me how to love bigger, deeper and harder. I miss you everyday my handsome, your Crazy Nina loves you and I will forever do all I can to keep your memory alive & help CHOC continue to help babies like you 💙 All proceeds from this magical event will support health care programs, education, and research at CHOC and CHOC at Mission Hospitals. In the 16th years I've been a part of CHOC I've been blessed by your continued donations and support. I pray i can count on you again to help me exceed my fundraising goal for the benefit of the children and families of Southern California by: -DONATING NOW by clicking the "Donate" button above or -JOINING ME at this year's event at the _Disneyland_(R) Resort by registering here [https://www.chocwalk.org/Account/Register] Many thanks in advance for helping us make a difference for children and their families. With Gratitude and Love, Angie