Beneath the glow of Sleeping Beauty Castle, I’ve joined thousands of dedicated walkers who are gathered for CHOC Walk: an annual 5k walk through both Disneyland park and Disney California Adventure park in support of children and families who have received care at Rady Children’s Hospital Orange County.
Amid the early morning hours, thousands reunite with loved ones, share stories, and take steps towards ensuring children have access to the medical treatment they need.
Walking for Rady Children’s Hospital Orange County
For over 10 years, I’ve made magic as a Disneyland Resort cast member, and throughout the last decade, I’ve come to admire the resort’s commitment to giving back to its community.
When I first learned about CHOC Walk, the event quickly found a special place in my heart, especially knowing that some of my younger family members and even my own son received care through Rady Children’s Hospital Orange County. As a mother, this event felt deeply personal, and I immediately knew I wanted to support the families that leaned on CHOC during some of life’s most difficult moments.
Outside of making magic for guests, I’ve found an incredible community online creating content, by sharing snippets of my life with others and connecting through shared experiences. It’s been a space where I’ve met some of my closest friends along with people who share the same passion for storytelling, kindness, and giving back.
When my fellow creators and I unite, our platforms reach millions of people, but what’s truly remarkable is that all of us believe in using our online platforms to create a meaningful impact in our communities.
So, in 2024, I sent a simple message to my network of creators with an idea: what if we joined together to create a team and walk in this year’s CHOC Walk at Disneyland Resort?
Before I had even finished explaining the idea, everyone was in.
The Power of Community at Our First CHOC Walk
That first year, our team consisted of just seven people, all inspired by the belief that meaningful change often starts with just a few. We called ourselves ChEARS for CHOC, inspired by both the Disney community we loved and the children we hoped to support.
By leveraging each of our platforms, we transformed our personal stories into a collective force for good, shining a light on CHOC Walk and the children and families it supports. Through daily social posts, stories, and videos, we invited our communities into the journey with us. Before long, we felt the power of our community members rallying alongside us, joining together as if we were one collective family, and donations began pouring in from people who believed in the cause.
The morning of our first CHOC Walk, we stood together on Main Street, U.S.A. feeling the excitement building around us. Every direction you looked, there was a sensation of solidarity, as families, friends, cast members, and supporters gathered for one of the most meaningful events I’ve ever had the privilege of being part of.
Throughout the walk, we quickly realized that every person standing beside us carried a story. Parents walked for their children. Grandparents walked for their grandchildren. Teams walked hand in hand, proudly wearing matching shirts, while others quietly carried photos of loved ones close to their hearts.
As we crossed the finish line, emotions overwhelmed all of us. Without needing to say much, we looked at one another and immediately knew this wouldn’t be a one-time event.
I smiled at our team: “See you next year?”
The Legacy of Walking and Giving Continues
By the time CHOC Walk 2025 rolled around, somehow our small but mighty team doubled in size.
What started as a simple idea turned into something much larger: more creators joined us, our families joined in, and together, we built a community with a shared purpose. Our goal had always been to spread awareness about CHOC Walk, and we began to see that mission come to life.
This year marks our third CHOC Walk, and every time I see the thousands of children, friends, families, and loved ones at the starting line, I’m reminded why this tradition means so much to me. In those moments, Disneyland becomes more than the Happiest Place on Earth. It becomes a place where hope is celebrated, and every step reflects the power of showing up for one another.
Now in 2026, our team has tripled in size and with our collective platforms reach more than three million people.
Year after year, CHOC Walk continues to be a reminder that when a community comes together with a shared purpose, even the smallest steps can create lasting change.
And so long as there are families who need hope, we will keep showing up. Together.
