San Diego, CA
Saturday, August 16, 2008
History
In 1991, a small group of people at the Shelter Island Marina thought it would be fun to sponsor a race utilizing homemade sailing dinghies, charge participants an entry fee and donate all of the proceeds to help children.

The first Little Race for Little People raised nearly $2,700 for the infant special care unit. Over the years, this event has raised over $500,000 for children. The growth reflected in its phenomenal success is a direct result of the dedication and tireless commitment of volunteers and the vision of its founder, Greg Anderson.
 
History of the Children's Hospital
rady childrens hospital
  In response to the community's need for advanced medical treatment for critically ill infants, Children's opened its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in 1975. Today, the 32-bed nursery treats approximately 700 babies each year, some of whom weigh less than 2 pounds.

Many of the infants in the NICU are premature and require mechanical ventilation to support their lungs. Other infants require surgery to repair their birth defects. Most common are infants born with heart abnormalities. Children's has a specialized program to provide post-op care for these special infants. The NICU also has EMCO, a procedure that bypasses the child's heart and lungs allowing them to develop.

In addition, the department serves the community through its Neonatal Outreach Program and returns infants to the hospital in which they were born when they no longer require intensive care at Children's.

Registered nurses in the unit care for infants from admission to discharge. Parents have found that the use of a primary nurse during their child's hospitalization increases their comfort level, assures special attention for the infant and enhances discharge teaching.
  
Volunteers & Sponsors


Volunteers and sponsors are a lot like yachts. No matter where they are, they arouse curiosity.

"Who are they? Where do they come from? Why are they here?"

Each year, Southern California boaters commit themselves to "lending a hand."
They help assure that our community's most helpless babies get a quality "chance at life."
Their dedication, unselfish compassion and just plain love of others can best be
demonstrated by their love for the "Little Race for Little People."

Doing so much good can be so much fun!