RJ Mitte, Award Winning Actor and Former Shriners Hospitals for Children Patient to Attend First Ever Walk for LOVE and Family Fun Festival on July 5th at Loring Park

Minneapolis, MN (June 13, 2014) – Shriners Hospitals for Children® proudly announces their first Walk for LOVE™, taking place Saturday, July 5that Loring Park in Minneapolis, MN. The walk and family festival begins at 9:00 a.m. and festivities will conclude at 1:00 p.m. The community fundraiser will unite families, friends, patients, Shriners and local businesses that support the hospital’s mission to provide life-saving and life-changing care to kids,regardless of a family’s ability to pay.

Held rain or shine, Walk for LOVE promises to deliver a fun, festival-like atmosphere that the entire family can enjoy. In addition to the 1.5 mile walk, the Family Fun Festival will feature a building blocks play station presented by Mega Bloks®, music and games powered by Radio Disney Twin Cities, face painting, balloon artists, delicious food and even a Teddy Bear Check-Up Clinic. All Family Fun Festival activities are free and open to the public.

Also attending the walk will be Love to the rescue® Ambassador RJ Mitte, a former patient and actor from AMC’s award winning series “Breaking Bad” and ABC Family’s “Switched at Birth”. Mitte will be on site to share his personal story of how Shriners Hospitals for Children provided him with treatment for cerebral palsy and encouragement every step of the way to accept no limits to living with a disability. As a former patient, Mitte knows first-hand how important it is to support these hospitals in their mission to provide life-saving and life-changing care to kids.

“Walk for LOVE provides families, friends and community members with an opportunity to send their Love to rescue to the patients at our great hospital. It will be a fun filled day with lots of activities for people of all ages to enjoy. We are thrilled to have an event and a cause that the entire community can rally behind!” said John Cinotto, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Walkers can register online at http://www.WalkforLove.org and will receive a Walk for LOVE t-shirt. The cost to participate is $25. Those who raise additional funds can earn more great prizes. Supporters who can’t attend can also sign up to be Virtual Walkers. Funds raised will help the Twin Cities hospital continue to transform the lives of children through innovative pediatric specialty care, world-class research and outstanding medical education.

Since 1923, through the expertise of board certified surgeons and healthcare providers, Shriners Hospitals for Children – Twin Cities has been providing high-quality medical care in a family-centered environment. The hospital and clinic focus on treating children with orthopaedic conditions, cleft lip and palate and specialized plastic surgery needs in an environment designed to put them at ease. From surgeons and therapists to nurses and prosthetic technicians, every member of the staff works together to ensure the best course of treatment for each young patient, regardless of the family’s ability to pay.

For more event information and walk registration, visit http://www.WalkforLove.org.

About Shriners Hospitals for Children

Shriners Hospitals for Children is changing lives every day through innovative pediatric specialty care, world-class research and outstanding medical education. Our 22 facilities, located in the United States, Canada and Mexico, provide advanced care for children with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate.

Shriners Hospitals for Children is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and relies on the generosity of donors. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.