Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California (RMHCSC) has selected a group of everyday heroes who exemplify strength, courage and remarkable ability, to ride aboard its Tournament of Roses Parade float on January 1, 2010. Four children battling cancer, two of NASA’s top astronauts, a legendary broadcast journalist, a college student, and one of the nation’s most esteemed pediatric surgeons, among others, will be featured on RMHCSC’s float titled “Space Odyssey,” which depicts a fantasy galactic space station, complete with eye-catching lighting effects and a spinning satellite dish.
The RMHCSC float riders epitomize the Tournament of Roses Parade theme, “A Cut Above The Rest,” and underscore the charity’s vision of creating a community where children and their families embrace life and healing with a sense of hope, enthusiasm, courage and joy. Through its Ronald McDonald Houses, Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times, Ronald McDonald Family Room, four scholarship programs and Community Grants Board, RMHCSC provides comfort, care and support to children and their families in Southern California.
“From childhood cancer survivors to a journalist who has reported the news to Angelenos for more than 60 years, our float riders are the embodiment of this year’s parade theme, “A Cut Above the Rest.” said Nicole Rubin, CEO, RMHCSC. “I am honored that Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California will be represented by this group of fine individuals and am sure that the world will be inspired by their bravery, perseverance and determination.”
The individuals representing RMHCSC in the 2010 Tournament of Roses Parade are:
Anthony Alaniz, Hemet, CA
Anthony Alaniz was diagnosed with osteosarcoma on his right leg in 2007. While Anthony was undergoing treatment at CHOC Children’s Hospital, his parents and sister stayed at the Orange County Ronald McDonald House in order to be closer to Anthony during this difficult time. Anthony’s right leg was amputated in 2008 in order to prevent the spread of cancer. He has been cancer free for almost two years and is looking forward to going to college next year.
Stan Chambers, Los Angeles, CA
Since 1947, Stan Chambers has covered significant Southland events such as the Sylmar (1971) and Northridge (1994) earthquakes, the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy (1965) and the Rodney King Jr. beatings (1991). In addition, Stan has reported for KTLA's broadcast of the Tournament of Roses Parade almost every year since 1949, however, this is his first time participating in the parade as a float rider. In 2002 the Tournament of Roses Association presented Stan with an award for over 50 years of dedication to Rose Parade broadcast excellence on KTLA.
Gregory Geller, Chula Vista, CA
Gregory was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a common childhood cancer found in the nerve tissue, at the age of 5. In 2001, he received treatment at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and his mother, Lorraine, stayed at the Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House, located across the street from the hospital. Gregory’s cancer returned last year and he currently receives treatment at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Lorraine is grateful to the Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House for not only the nearby lodging, but also support during this difficult time.
Dr. John German, MD, Orange, CA
Dr. John German is board certified in general surgery, pediatric surgery and critical care at Children’s Hospital Orange Country and also sits on the board of trustees for the Orange Country Ronald McDonald House. He was recently named as the “2009 Person of Honor” by the Orange County Ronald McDonald House for his years of service to the pediatric medical community.
Dylan and Jake Kasten, Long Beach, CA
Jake was diagnosed with a brain tumor when he was only 6 years old. Through his treatment at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, the Kasten family discovered Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times, a sleep-away camp for children with cancer and their siblings. Jake and his twin brother Dylan’s time at Camp allowed them to temporarily forget their medical battles as well as meet other children undergoing treatment for cancer. Jake is currently in remission.
Alex Knight, Bakersfield, CA
Alex was diagnosed with cancer in October 2006. While the 17 year old participated in Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times, he was able to temporarily escape his medical woes and interact with other children with cancer. Alex has been cancer free for two years.
Leland Melvin and Robert Satcher, Lynchburg, VA
NASA astronauts Leland Melvin and Robert Satcher were both mission specialists on the STS-129 flight crew to the International Space Station in November, which featured three spacewalks and brought back a fellow astronaut to earth. In addition to their work with NASA, these two remarkable astronauts also volunteer their time to work with organizations such as the Big Brother for Youth at Risk Counseling Program, Cub Scouts, MIT’s Tutor for Black Students and NASA’s Educator Astronauts Program.
Erikan Obotetukudo, Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Erikan is currently pursuing a pre-med degree from Claremont McKenna College where her goal is to work on women’s AIDS-related medical issues around the world. Erikan’s college career has been made a little easier by the RMHC/African American Future Achievers college scholarship program, which awarded her a $2,000 scholarship during her freshman year to offset the cost of tuition and other college expenses.
Throughout nine California counties, RMHCSC currently operates five Ronald McDonald Houses, Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times, two Ronald McDonald Family Rooms, a Community Grants Board, and four scholarship programs for exemplary high school students. The Ronald McDonald Houses, located in Bakersfield, Loma Linda, Los Angeles, Orange County and Pasadena, with one under development in Long Beach, provide shelter, support and comfort for families of children receiving treatment at nearby medical facilities. Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times provides free sleep-away camp experiences for kids with cancer and their families. The Ronald McDonald Family Rooms, located in CHOC Children’s and CHOC Children’s Mission Hospital in Orange and Mission Viejo respectively, provide the comfort and care of a Ronald McDonald House in a hospital setting. The Community Grants Board has awarded nearly 700 grants totaling more than $14.5 million to Southern California organizations that directly benefit children. RMHCSC grants, which are awarded to non-profit organizations that focus on healthcare, education and arts, and civic and social interests, are traditionally made to help start a new program, purchase equipment or goods or help in the expansion of services. The four scholarship programs have awarded more than $3.3 million in college scholarships to deserving high school seniors since 1990.
RMHCSC’s Tournament of Roses Parade float is made possible through the generous support of the McDonald’s Operators’ Association of Southern California, which is composed of more than 600 franchised and company-owned McDonald’s restaurants in the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura.
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