Media are invited to cover the parade which will take place at the Diamond Children’s parking garage, 1625 N. Campbell Ave., Tucson, 85719, with the parade of holiday decorated, off-road vehicles driving through the hospital campus at 5:45 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5.

TUCSON, Ariz. (Dec. 4, 2020) – Bringing holiday cheer and gift cards to the hospitalized kids at Diamond Children’s Medical Center via car show parade, the Santa Cruise, organized by 5-2-0 SXS, takes place Saturday, Dec. 5 at 5:45 p.m.

Now in its fourth year, the Santa Cruise is organized by Cody Sanders, an off-road enthusiast who started the 5-2-0 SXW group, and his wife Carly D. Sanders. Carly is an operations supervisor for transplant financial services at Banner – University Medicine. The event is close to the couple’s hearts as Cody lost his 11-year-old cousin to Leukemia more than 8 years ago.

Cody recruited over 100 people to drive their vehicles in the parade from the 5-2-0 SXS, off-road community. Vendors and individual donors from the 5-2-0 SXS group have collected thousands of dollars in gift cards to donate to the hospital and this year, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, gift cards replaced donated toys.

The parade will include a gift card drop-off stop for parade participants, who will then proceed to the top floor of the Diamond Children’s parking garage so that the hospitalized children can marvel at their holiday decorations and lights.

“For our parade participants, it’s a fun event and a great opportunity to give back to the community and keep the holiday spirit alive for the families who are spending the holiday in the hospital. It wouldn’t be possible without all the donors and event participants who commit to make this happen,” said Cody.

The Santa Cruise participating vendors include: On Any Moto, Steele Performance, Desert RV and One Off Road.

“Our team members look forward to this event each year because it really helps to lift the spirits of the children and family members who are spending the holidays at the hospital. In addition, the donations 5-2-0 SXS provide go beyond the holiday season helping to bring a little bit of holiday magic year-round,” said Sarah Frost, CEO of Banner – University Medical Center Tucson and South.

About Banner Children’s – Diamond Children’s Medical Center

Banner Children’s – Diamond Children’s Medical Center provides pediatric care for children, from newborns to teens. Services include emergency care, heart disorders, traumatic brain injury, autism and developmental disorders, cancer, diabetes and endocrinology, gastrointestinal and nutritional disorders, neurological problems, orthopedics, intensive care needs and more. It is the only pediatric medical facility in Arizona connected to an academic research facility — the University of Arizona Steele Children’s Research Center — where physician-scientists conduct groundbreaking basic science and translational research to advance children’s health. For more information, please visit: www.BannerChildrens.com/DiamondChildrens

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