Leanne Joyce, a junior at Carrboro High School, is the founder and president of the 501(c)(3) Positive Impact for Kids. She was born with a heart condition narrowing her aortic valve. Formerly a nationally ranked jump roper, competitive swimmer and gymnast, she was unexpectedly told by her cardiologist, at age 12, to immediately stop sports because it was life-threatening. Extremely devastated, she remembered her hospital experience one month prior. While waiting for test results, teenage volunteers handed her a gift which relieved her stress and motivated her to give back.
Positive Impact for Kids strives to improve the hospital experience for pediatric patients by purchasing items from hospital wish lists. To date, she has helped 83 hospitals, including one in every state. She has raised more than $70,000 and impacted more than 500,000 pediatric patients.
The Chapel Hill Police Department is partnering with her to facilitate a 5K fundraiser on Sunday, December 4 in Southern Community Park, Chapel Hill. Afterwards, there will be a one-mile race for children 12 and under called Chase the Chief. We anticipate over 250 runners/walkers with the 5K starting at 1 p.m. and the children’s fun run beginning at 2:15 p.m.
Race Registration: https://www.
Website: http://
