SEAL BEACH, CA — The Seal Beach Police Department is going gold, after a local family reached out for support.
This September, the department will launch a limited-edition "Go Gold" challenge coin fundraiser to raise awareness about childhood cancer.
Throughout the challenge, residents can purchase one or more specially-made coins at $20 apiece.
The coin incorporates the gold ribbon, the internationally recognized symbol of childhood cancer awareness, along with artwork recognizing the local roots of the campaign.
The fundraiser takes place throughout September and benefits a local nonprofit and Rady's Children's Health Orange County.
According to the department, the idea for the fundraiser stemmed from a local Seal Beach family.
John Cantale, the owner of Calypso Juice & Vitamins on Main Street, founded the nonprofit Choke Cancer after his son was diagnosed with brain cancer.
According to Seal Beach Police Lt. Julia Clasby, 3-year-old Dino was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a form of brain cancer, and spend 10 straight months in the hospital to receive treatment.
Dino was in remission for about another nine months before his cancer returned again when he was five, she said. Since then, Dino underwent another year of treatment — which he completed last July — and has now been in remission for a year.
According to Cantale, he and his family founded Choke Cancer in order to raise awareness of childhood cancer and help families know they are not facing the disease alone.
"We are fortunate that Dino was able to make it through such a horrific time," Cantale told Patch. "What we learned throughout this experience is that other families need help and support."
This year, Cantale approached the Seal Beach Police Department to ask for support, and the coin challenge was born.
A total of 500 coins were produced for the fundraiser, all funded by the Seal Beach Police League.
"This project really started with John looking for a way to turn his family's experience into something that could help other people," Chief of Police Michael Henderson said. "Dino's story is one of tremendous strength, and this campaign gives our community an opportunity to support children and families facing childhood cancer while helping raise awareness of an issue that affects thousands of families every year."
Seal Beach residents can purchase a limited-edition challenge coin at the following locations:
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