Team Coco has been busy! 

This month, we hosted a spaghetti dinner, a team fun run at Pinto Lake County Park in Watsonville (pictured here) and a very profitable yard sale at Bailey Properties in Aptos. Plus, we've been busy training for half and full marathons, running together each week in some of the most beautiful spots in the county, and beyond.

We are so grateful for all the support from our friends and family, as well as community sponsors who have helped us raise more than $30,000 this season so far! But we are not done! We have an upcoming paint night at the Santa Cruz Food Lounge and our asking friends and family to join us in the five-mile Human Race along West Cliff Drive. 

The best way to follow our work is to join our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/teamcocosantacruz/

Our goal continues to be to raise $100,000 so that we can attach Greg Melendy's name to a Leukemia & Lymphoma research portfolio.   

Greg  (pictured here) was just 16 when he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

He became a team honoree, cheering on our runners and walkers during track practice along with his mother, Vicki, and entertaining us during our weekly team dinners for years before he died at age 25. 

Greg loved movies, geocaching, and music – he even used his Make a Wish request to donate a grand piano to Soquel High School’s music program. We are so motivated to train and fundraise in Greg's memory this season -- and in support of his wonderful family.  

Please join us in this fantastic fundraising effort if you can!

Where is it? 

Pinto Lake County Park 
757 Green Valley Road in Watsonville

Please note that this the county park, not the city park that’s about a mile away. Here is a map: http://bit.ly/223BATB

Look for a big group crazy group at the picnic pavilion B, which is adjacent to the parking lot.

When is it?

Saturday April 16. 
The Kids Race starts at 8:30 a.m,  
The 5K and 10K races start promptly at 9:00 a.m.  

How much does it cost?

Cost is $35 for the 5K and $45 for the 10K. 

How do I register?

You can register online at https://bitly.com/teamcocofunrun. Race day registration will be available if space remains.

Do I need to register my child for the free kids 1K?

All you need to do is sign a waiver for any under 14 participants wishing to race. You can sign the waiver on April 15 at the Santa Cruz Running Company at 1664 Soquel Dr. in Santa Cruz. If you need to, you can also register kids or the morning of the race, starting at 7:30 a.m.

How do I pick up my bib?

You can pick up your bib, free race t-shirt, and other goodies at Santa Cruz Running Company on Friday April 15 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The running store is at 1664 Soquel Dr. in Santa Cruz. You may have a friend pick up your bib for you.

If you need to, you can pick up your bib the morning of the race. Please arrive as early as possible as race starts promptly at 9 a.m. Staff will be there beginning at 7:30 a.m.

Are there other ways to participate if I can run or walk?

Yes, we are looking for volunteers for both April 15 and 16. Please email Kate Pavao at katepavao@gmail.com with the subject line: Volunteers.

What comes with my registration?

You get a free race t-shirt, as well as water, fruit and other snacks at the race.

Our sponsor, The Melanoma Coalition, is providing free sunscreen and lip balm. There will be other food items to purchase, including Jamba Juice and special items for Teen Kitchen Project.

Kids will get a free book at the end of the race, courtesy of the Live Like Coco Foundation.

Are there awards?

Awards will be presented to the first man and woman to finish both the 10K and the 5K.

Where does my registration money go?

Proceeds from the Spring Fun Run for Team Coco will go to benefit Team Coco, the Santa Cruz Team in Training (TNT) team. TNT is the flagship fundraising program for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and the only endurance sports training program for charity that raises money for blood cancer research. TNT and LLS are changing the landscape of blood cancer, not someday but today, making TNT the perfect way to fundraise.

You can donate to our team here: http://pages.teamintraining.org/svmb/rnrseatl16/teamcoco

More questions? Email Coach Laurie at LaurieProscia@gmail.com

April 16 would have been Coco's 13th birthday. To honor her memory -- and to raise money to fight blood cancer --Team Coco is hosting a fun run (and walk!)  
at Pinto Lake County Park. 

There wll be a 5k, 10k at 9 a.m. and a free kids 1k starting at 8:30. 

All proceeds go to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Register today at:

 https://runningaffair.net:8443/runningaffair/shop/mIskWtiOCD3m8cqzurOaJA

In 2015, our team suffered a great tragedy. Twelve-year-old Coco Lazenby, the daughter of  long-time participant Kate Pavao, was killed by a distracted driver.

Coco had grown up with our team: She pitched in at fundraisers, got up early to cheer on her mom, grandma and other runners through several half and full marathons – and even recently started babysitting the children of other team members during our weekly track practices.

Although Coco’s death was not blood cancer related, our small but mighty Santa Cruz team dedicated the entire season to her memory. And thanks to our amazing community of family and friends, we became the top fundraising team in California, raising a total of $131,455.26. Because of our success, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) funded a research portfolio in Coco’s name.  

Now we’re back for another season: training together, raising awareness about blood cancer, and fiercely fundraising as Team Coco. We can't think of any better way to honor her young life than to help build a world where all children get to grow up, a world where families and friends don’t have to suffer through the devastating loss of someone they love.

Our goal is to again raise more than $100,000 so we can honor another member of our community with a LLS grant, Greg Melendy. Greg was just 16 when he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He became a team honoree, cheering on our runners and walkers during track practice along with his mother, Vicki, and entertaining us during team dinners for years before he died at age 25. We are so motivated to train and fundraise in Greg's memory this season -- and in support of his wonderful family. 

Please join Team Coco to honor Coco and Greg, and to help find a cure for blood cancers. Your donations to LLS are tax deductible and are invested wisely in cancer research and patient assistance. Since 1988, more than 600,000 TNT participants have helped LLS invest more than $1 billion for blood cancer research. We are so close to finding a cure. Help us get across the finish line.

Donate today!