Zuma Beach Triathlon This Weekend
Written by 991KBU on September 14, 2018
The Malibu triathlon is this weekend at Zuma Beach.
And well it may prove to be a bit of a traffic jam for Malibu residents … it’s a major fundraiser for children’s cancer research at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
Doctor Judy Villablanca appeared at the Malibu city Council meeting a week ago to explain just how important the Malibu fundraiser is to the children.
Every day in America … 46 children are diagnosed with some type of cancer.
And while the survival rate has gone from 10 percent to 90 percent … that’s the overall statistics.
Some types of cancer … such as childhood leukemia … still have grim diagnoses.
The cancer researcher wanted to tell Malibu that proceeds from the Zuma Beach race have directly saved lives.
VILLABLANCA AAAA :31 QQ CELEBRATE HOW WELL HE IS DOING
“One of my own patients who diagnosed before the first year of life with cancer … and reapsed when he was three years old.
“And I remember sitting with his father and telling him that I didn’t think he was going to be with us for his fourth birthday, because his outlook was so poor.
“He went on to receive five different clinical trials — three which is subsequently become standard therapy for children with his type of cancer, because they were shown to be effective.
“And he is now 24 years old and healthy and cancer free.
“”And I actually just had dinner with hime and his father to celebrate how well he is doing.”
But Villablanca says there is so much more research to be done.
Only 4 percent of annual federal cancer research money goes to children’s cancer.
Thus … the big fundraiser this weekend at Zuma Beach.
VILLABLANCA BBBB
“Many of you have probably participated in this fun event, many more have participated in the related traffic.
“You may not be aware: this event has actually raised over $12 million for childrens cancer research at the cancer program at my hospital, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.
“And if you are out there participating, you are going participating in running and biking and swimming with parents of children who have cancer, who participate out there every year, because they know how important it is.
“So I hope that if you are participating in the Triathlon, or you are stuck in traffic, I hope you realize h that it is gong for a very good cause.”
While proceeds from the triathlon go to cancer research … questions have been raised at the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors about just how much goes to race overhead.
The independent company that raises the money for the children’s charity keeps its books closed … and children’s Hospital Los Angeles says it will not release those figures either.
Los Angeles County has asked to see the books.
They have a stake in this because the marathon uses Zuma Beach … a county owned facility.
Two marathons are allowed by the city of Malibu to use public property every year.
The other marathon … a smaller 5K race that benefits the Malibu Boys and Girls Club … will be later this fall.
As for traffic … Pacific Coast Highway will be heavily congested Saturday and in particular Sunday mornings.
Access to the Broad Beach and Malibu West neighborhoods will be blocked for a short time both mornings … starting at around 730.
Guernsey … Morning View … and Busch will all be blocked off as well …
But the Malibu Park neighborhood can access Pacific Coast Highway using Busch Drive and then cutting over to Bonsall Drive.
Sheriff deputies will be directing traffic at the Bonsall Drive … Westward Beach … PCH intersection.
