Briefly in the news

-- Deirdre Newman

When Debbie Lambert’s son was diagnosed with leukemia five years ago,

she turned to Children’s Hospital of Orange County for his treatment.

What she found there was a group of concerned staff members who became

her second family.

“They answered any questions, they filled in any blanks,” Lambert

said. “I couldn’t have done it without them. They were a godsend.”

Children’s Hospital has been serving residents of Orange County since

1964. On Sunday, the hospital is hosting its largest annual fund-raiser,

the CHOC/Disneyland Community Walk.

About 10,000 walkers are expected to participate in the five-kilometer

route around the perimeter of South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa.

Newport Beach resident Laurie Eastman is looking forward to her third

year as a participant. Eastman, and a team she created with some of her

neighbors, have raised $3,300.

“It just kind of snowballed,” Eastman said. “We just hope we can make

a difference.”