Cupcake Crawl in Tampa doubles as birthday celebration for child battling leukemia

Sweet birthday celebration

FOX 13's Regina Gonzalez takes us to the Cupcake Crawl where one special young boy was celebrated.

TAMPA - The sweet smell of cupcakes filled the air at Al Lopez Park on Saturday morning, as hundreds of runners laced up for the 3rd Annual Cupcake Crawl.

The event featured a 5K, a kids’ 1K dash, and plenty of family fun. But the highlight of the day was a birthday celebration for 4-year-old Parker Fink. 

Diagnosed with leukemia earlier this year, Parker had to miss out on what would have been his first big birthday party with friends.

Thanks to Celebrate Birthdays — a local nonprofit dedicated to throwing parties for foster children and kids in need — Parker got that celebration in front of a cheering crowd.

What they're saying:

"It was going to be his first big kid party with all his school friends and then April happened and that just didn’t happen for him," Parker’s mom, Angie Fink, said. "So to be able to see him have this moment and have all these people out here to celebrate him, it really does mean the world."

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The race itself has grown each year since it began, from fewer than 100 runners to more than 400 this year. Organizers say the support helps them continue their mission of making sure no child feels forgotten on their special day.

What's next:

Proceeds from the Cupcake Crawl will fund birthday parties throughout Tampa Bay for children who may not otherwise get to celebrate.

To learn more about Celebrate Birthdays or to get involved, click here.