Beating cancer with beautiful tile artwork.

HEALTH is written at base of tile mosaic on bench.
HEALTH is written at base of fantastic tile mosaic on bench.

A super long walk yesterday took me past Cancer Survivors Park at Spanish Landing, which is located between Harbor Island and the San Diego International Airport. I first blogged about the inspirational installation of art over a year ago.

The purpose of Cancer Survivors Park is to educate, provide hope and encourage appropriate, prompt medical treatment. A domed structure at one end contains beautiful tile benches designed by artist Marlo Bartels. Each differently colored bench invites restful meditation and is dedicated to a single idea written near the base.

Beautiful dome of San Diego's Cancer Survivors Park contains artistic tiled benches and words of encouragement.
Beautiful dome of San Diego’s Cancer Survivors Park contains artistic tiled benches and words of encouragement.
CELEBRATION
CELEBRATION
THRIVING
THRIVING
LOVE
LOVE
WELLNESS
WELLNESS
HOPE
HOPE
Gazing across grass toward bronze sculpture of people beating cancer through prompt treatment.
Gazing across grassy park toward bronze sculpture of people beating cancer through prompt, appropriate treatment.

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Fill the Boot in San Diego to help burn victims!

At corner of Ash and Front Street, a San Diego firefighter volunteers to collect donations to assist burn victims.
At the corner of Ash and Front Street, a San Diego firefighter volunteers to collect donations to assist burn victims.

If you’re driving about San Diego County today and you see a fireman standing at an intersection holding up a boot, throw lots of money in!

Today a small army of San Diego firefighters are volunteering to collect donations for the Burn Institute. The Burn Institute’s mission is to help the victims of severe burns recover from a devastating and very difficult situation. The organization has a strong focus on children. Be generous!

Television reporter and firemen spread the word about today's Fill the Boot campaign throughout San Diego.
Television reporter and firemen spread the word about today’s Fill the Boot campaign throughout San Diego.
Fill the Boot to help the Burn Institute and children who've suffered from critical burns.
Fill the Boot generously to help the Burn Institute help children who’ve suffered from critical burns.

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San Diego breast cancer walkers: the final mile!

Participants in Susan G. Komen three day walk fighting breast cancer.
Participants in Susan G. Komen three day walk fighting breast cancer.

As usual, I ran into an unexpected cool sight during a walk. I was returning home from Balboa Park early this afternoon when I noticed a bunch of people wearing pink lining Park Boulevard. Sure enough! San Diego’s Susan G. Komen three day walk to raise money to fight breast cancer was underway.  It was heading down the homestretch!

I took a bunch of pics as I continued home along the route of the walkers. They had roughly one more mile to go until the finish line at downtown’s Petco Park stadium.

San Diego walkers cheered by pink-wearing supporters on Park Boulevard.
San Diego walkers cheered by pink-wearing supporters on Park Boulevard.
Mile 59. Just one mile to go to the Petco Park finish!
Mile 59. Just one mile to go to the Petco Park finish!
Lots of fun pink stuff greeted the walkers along the sidewalk.
Lots of fun pink stuff greeted the walkers along their route.
Guy helping with traffic wears pink and lots of pins and buttons.
Guy helping with traffic wears pink and lots of pins and buttons.
Encouraging signs wear everywhere along this beautiful section of the San Diego route.
Encouraging signs were everywhere along this beautiful section of the San Diego route.
Someone stenciled LOVE on the sidewalk.
Someone stenciled LOVE on the sidewalk.
Hydration station awaits some oncoming anti-breast cancer walkers.
Hydration station awaits some oncoming anti-breast cancer walkers.
Cars coming down the street honked and featured optimistic messages.
Cars coming down the street honked and featured optimistic messages.
San Diego police officer wears pink for the special occasion.
San Diego police officer wears pink for the special occasion.
Someone wrote a personal encouraging note in chalk on the sidewalk.
Someone wrote a personal encouraging note in chalk on the sidewalk.
This cool bystander guy has a pink mohawk!
This cool bystander guy has a pink mohawk!
U GO GIRL
U GO GIRL

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Kids’ NewsDay benefits Rady Children’s Hospital!

Selling special edition Union-Tribune newspapers during Kids' NewsDay!
Selling very special edition Union-Tribune newspapers during Kids’ NewsDay!

Smiling volunteers could be seen throughout San Diego this morning selling special edition newspapers! Today was the 25th anniversary of Kids’ NewsDay, a much-anticipated yearly event whose purpose is to benefit Rady Children’s Hospital.

Over the years, thousands of children and families have been helped by the money raised by generous people who purchase this inspiring edition of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Since the first Kids’ NewsDay in 1990, about 30,000 volunteers have sold over a million papers, raising nearly 3 million dollars! That’s amazing! The featured section of the newspaper is filled with stories of kids overcoming extremely difficult situations, many with rare or life-threatening diseases. The stories are filled with optimism, and the most inspiring stories are written by children themselves!

If you would like to make a donation to Rady Children’s Hospital, please click this link!

Kid's NewsDay helps raise funds for Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego.
Kid’s NewsDay helps raise funds for Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego.

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Cancer Survivors Park: Hope, beauty, healing.

Today with modern medicine there's a pretty good chance of beating cancer.
Today with modern medicine there’s a pretty good chance of beating cancer.

Cancer Survivors Park is located at Spanish Landing, across Harbor Drive from San Diego International Airport. It’s an inspiring place of hope, beauty and healing.

At the center of the park is an arrangement of bronze sculptures by renowned artist Victor Salmones, representing people from all walks of life dealing with cancer. The journey can be complicated and difficult. A walkway that meanders through the park features plaques containing useful, positive messages.

If you also feel inspired, please feel free to share.

Some people have been cured from every type of cancer.
Some people have been cured from every type of cancer.
People from all walks of life can get cancer.
People from all walks of life can get cancer.
Cancer is the most curable of all chronic diseases.
Cancer is the most curable of all chronic diseases.
Bronze forms represent people beginning to undergo medical treatment.
Bronze forms represent people beginning to undergo medical treatment.
Realize that cancer is a life threatening disease but some beat it. Make up your mind you will be one of those who do.
Realize that cancer is a life threatening disease but some beat it. Make up your mind you will be one of those who do.
People like you and I start the difficult journey to have their cancer eliminated.
People like you and I start the difficult journey to have their cancer eliminated.
Make a commitment to do everything in your power to help yourself fight the disease.
Make a commitment to do everything in your power to help yourself fight the disease.
Beginning cancer treatment can be a bit scary and confusing.
Beginning cancer treatment can be a bit scary and confusing.
Find a qualified doctor in whom you have confidence who believes he can successfully treat you.
Find a qualified doctor in whom you have confidence who believes he can successfully treat you.
Young lady begins cancer treatment, feeling uncertain.
Young lady begins cancer treatment, feeling uncertain.
Treat your cancer promptly, properly and thoroughly and have a positive mental attitude.
Treat your cancer promptly, properly and thoroughly and have a positive mental attitude.
Happy family emerges from cancer treatment with a brand new life.
Happy family emerges from cancer treatment with a brand new life.
Get state of the art treatment. Know all your options. Knowledge heals.
Get state of the art treatment. Know all your options. Knowledge heals.
Bicyclist rides through San Diego's Cancer Survivors Park.
Bicyclist rides through San Diego’s Cancer Survivors Park.
Cancer Survivors Park is located at Spanish Landing, near Lindbergh Field.
Cancer Survivors Park is located at Spanish Landing, near Lindbergh Field.