Nature hike in Pine man's memory to support cancer survivors group

A 3K nature hike in North Park will be held in memory of a young Pine man who died from cancer a year ago.

Christian Cochran was 23 when he died Sept. 1, 2021, a little over a year after he was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, a rare cancer of the liver.

Hosted by the Christian Cochran Legacy Fund, the Sept. 10 walk on the park’s Green Trail has no sponsors, no entries, and no signup sheets.

“We wanted to keep it simple,” Christian’s father, Chris Cochran, said. “We want to invite all families and anyone to come out and enjoy the trail with their families and remind themselves ‘What’s good about today?’”

The fund has reserved four pavilions — Flagstaff, Flanders, School House and Roosevelt — for the day, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Anyone wishing to participate is welcome to come at any time, Cochran said. The family will start their walk around 10 a.m. and others are welcome to join them.

While there is no fee for the hike, participants are asked to make a donation to the fund, which is raising money for Young Adult Survivors United and the Latodami Nature Center in North Park.

Young Adult Survivors United helps young adults diagnosed with cancer and their families. Stephanie Samolovitch, 36, a leukemia survivor from Hampton, launched it in March 2020.

“Young adults experience cancer much differently than kids, teens and older adults,” she said. “They’re just starting out, graduating college, planning their weddings, having their first children when they’re diagnosed with cancer.”

Donations from the hike will go toward supporting the group’s programs, which include financial help for those fighting cancer and respite trips.

“The money raised will stay local in Pittsburgh for residents who are young adult survivors,” Samolovitch said. “We are so grateful for them.”

The Latodami Nature Center in North Park covers about 250 acres. It includes fields, forest, pond, wetland and stream habitats with a series of nature trails.

The Cochran family wants to support the center’s nature and space camps for children, which Christian enjoyed as a boy and asked his family to support. Chris Cochran said they plan to buy telescopes to expand the center’s space program.

“Christian just loved nature so much, the peacefulness of it and the beauty of it,” said his mother, Danielle Cochran.

The nature center has offered its summer Young Naturalist Program since 1970, said Meg Scanlon, the naturalist at Latodami.

“One of our most popular programs, we have provided hands-on environmental explorations and experiences to thousands of children since its inception. It is always hoped that we can impact their lives by instilling a love and appreciation for the natural world,” Scanlon said. “We are excited that we can make a difference in the lives of so many young people, such as Christian Cochran, and are honored for consideration of contributions in supporting and expanding our educational programming.”

The Cochran family hopes to make the hike an annual event.

“Just show up and find some peace and tranquility and time with your family and friends,” Danielle Cochran said. “Put your cell phones down, talk to each other, play cards, bring your coffee, bring your lunch and appreciate all of the beauty that surrounds you.”

Those unable to attend and wanting to support the fund and the hike’s beneficiaries can make a donation on the fund’s website. Links and more information are available online at christiancochran.org.