Loma Linda Children's Hospital Presented With Olympic Medals

Editor's Note: Briana Pastorino is a paid spokesperson for Loma Linda University.

As part of his partnership with Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital and Medals of Courage, long distance runner and 2012 Team USA Olympic marathon competitor, Meb Keflezighi, presented medals to patients during a press conference at the hospital on Nov. 14. 

“When I’m at this hospital,” Keflizighi said, “I can tell there is definitely something special about this place. This has been a great experience for me.”

Candace Ransom, founder of Medals of Courage which encourages athletes to donate their medals to children at the hospital to inspire them in their marathon of health, was on hand for the event.

In May this year, Keflizighi, Ransom and LLUCH made a plea to the national public to donate their marathon medals to patients at the hospital to inspire those who have endured injury or illness and encourage them through their own marathons of treatment and hospitalization. Children’s Hospital had a goal to collect 2,012 medals by August in honor of the 2012 Olympic games, and the goal was exceeded.

Zareh Sarrafian, administrator with the children's hospital, is ecstatic at the success of Medals of Courage. “Whether it be cancer or a broken bone that has put a child in our care this gesture will give them a symbol of support and will show them that people do care and are wishing them well in their recovery,” he said.

Medals of Courage was originally started in 2011 by Candace Ransom, in honor of her son Lucas, who died in October 2010 at age 19 after he was attacked by a shark while body boarding in Santa Barbara.

Lucas, who at the time of his death was attending University of California, Santa Barbara, had hopes of attending Loma Linda University School of Pharmacy after graduation. Shortly before his death, Lucas had donated his marathon medal to a sick child. Now, Candace, a Perris native, continues to inspire others to follow her son’s example.

Medals will be distributed to patients at Children’s Hospital on an on-going basis at community events. The hospital is still accepting medals from those who wish to donate them.

For more information, visit www.medalsofcourage.org.