CTnow

Get out your sneakers for a great cause.

Hundreds of people are expected to participate in the Hartford CureSearch Walk this Sunday in Bushnell Park, which will raise money for childhood cancer research.

CureSearch for Children's Cancer is a national, non-profit organization that aims to raise funds to support clinical trials at Conneticut Children's Medical Center and more than 180 other hospitals around the country.

Each year, approximately 13,500 parents will hear the words “your child has cancer.” Every day, 36 children are diagnosed with cancer. Across all ages, ethnic groups and socio-economics, cancer remains the number one cause of death by disease in children, according to the CureSearch.

“By working collaboratively, the Children’s Oncology Group has improved cure rates for children’s cancer at a pace much faster than any one individual or single institution could accomplish alone – from a 10 percent cure rate 40 years ago to 80 percent today,” according to CureSearch.org.

CureSearch's goal is to reach a 100 percent cure rate. Walks like the one in Bushnell Park are taking place all over the country during September, which is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Funds raised will help CureSearch reach its goal.

The walk begins at Bushnell Park at 10 a.m and will wind for 2 miles through Downtown Hartford. Registration takes place in the park at 9 a.m. and the walk begins at 10 a.m. For more information on the walk, to join a team or to register, go to CureSearchWalk.org.