NEWS RELEASES
The New 93Q Radio host Kevin Kline Announces Ambitious 500-mile, 13 Day Ultramarathon Across Texas Benefiting Kids with Cancer

DJ Trains Whole Year for Strides Across Texas

HOUSTON (Jan. 28, 2009) – Kevin Kline, local morning radio host on The New 93Q, held a kickoff event today at Texas Children’s Cancer Center to officially announce his plans to run Strides Across Texas, his nearly 500-mile, 13-day solo ultramarathon across Texas benefiting Texas Children’s Cancer Center. Beginning in Dallas on December 20, 2009, Kline will run up to 10 hours daily, braving the wind, rain, cold and hills through Austin and San Antonio, ending his journey in Houston on the steps of Texas Children’s Hospital on January 1, 2010. The ambitious undertaking is the first of its kind in the state of Texas, and Kline hopes his effort will raise $500,000 for Texas Children’s Cancer Center.

Friends and supporters on hand at the kickoff included Kline’s radio co-host Tim Tuttle;
Dr. David Poplack, director of Texas Children’s Cancer Center; Dr. Susan Blaney, the center’s deputy director; Brooke Daniels, Miss Texas USA 2009; and Kady Malloy, contestant on Season 7 of American Idol. Following the short kickoff program, Kline, Daniels and Malloy entertained Texas Children’s Cancer Center patients by posing for photos with them and their families and autographing special Strides Across Texas bandanas.

During the program, a touching video created by Kline’s wife and Snowdrop Foundation co-founder, Trish Kline, was shown to further illustrate the great challenge Kline was taking on.

	Dr. David Poplack, director of Texas Children’s Cancer Center (left) and Kevin Kline.

“I hope that the journey I am about to embark on will inspire people to donate to this amazing cause, and that every stride will bring us one step closer to a cure. Throughout my year-long preparation and my eventual odyssey across the Texas landscape, my goal is to create more awareness about pediatric cancer in our local communities and throughout Texas,” said Kline.

Well known on the local radio scene, Kevin Kline is the president and founder of Snowdrop Foundation, which raises money for Texas Children’s Cancer Center. Foundation funding supports the center’s cutting edge work in pediatric cancer research, provides twice annual weekend excursions for patients, and awards college scholarships to pediatric cancer patients and childhood cancer survivors.

“Kevin’s tireless passion and commitment to Texas Children’s Cancer Center is so apparent in every venture he takes on and every effort he makes to create awareness about pediatric cancer. We feel so fortunate to have someone as tremendously devoted as Kevin as our friend and supporter,” said Dr. Poplack.

Since establishing Snowdrop Foundation in 2006, the Foundation has donated a total of $200,000 to Texas Children’s Cancer Center. Strides Across Texas marks Kline’s most ambitious effort to date as he strides his way to $500,000. For more information and to donate, visit www.stridesacrosstexas.org.

Inspired by the great courage and strength of pediatric cancer patients, Kline will train for the entire year to run the nearly 500-mile journey. Training seven days a week with his coach, Tim Neckar, Kline runs four days per week, bikes one day per week and lifts weights twice per week, making his total weekly mileage between 40 and 70 miles, which will increase as the year progresses. Kline will also participate in marathons throughout the United States as a part of his extensive training regimen including ones in New Orleans, Orlando, Monterrey and several in his home state of Texas including a 50-mile ultramarathon in Huntsville State Park. Throughout his year-long campaign, Kline will visit local schools and colleges to speak to students and create more awareness about pediatric cancer.

About Texas Children's Cancer Center

As an international leader in pediatric cancer research and treatment, Texas Children's Cancer Center is dedicated to providing novel therapies and family-centered care to children from infancy through young adulthood with cancer and blood disorders – from the most common to rare. Ranked in the top three pediatric cancer centers nationwide by U.S. News &World Report, Texas Children’s Cancer Center treats 1,900 new patients and conducts 33,000 outpatient visits annually, with patients coming from 35 states and 26 countries around the world. Learn more at www.cancer.texaschildrens.org.