MIAMI – Mike Fernandez, a former foundation board member at Miami Children's Hospital, is set to walk 500 miles from France to Spain to benefit the hospital.
Fernandez, a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist, will walk the El Camino de Santiago -- the Way of James Trail -- to help raise awareness about his fundraising campaign.
He's recruited the support of some of his closest friends, including actor Andy Garcia, singer Jon Secada, and Miami Heat players Ray Allen and Shane Battier.
Fernandez says he has already raised about $1 million for the hospital. He hopes this walk will generate four times that amount.
"I will take about 3 million steps over 40 to 50 days," Fernandez said during Friday morning's news conference to announce his walk. "So, the goal is not $1 million. The goal is an additional $3 million, because I want this community to embrace this great institution -- 65,000 citizens of Miami can give just a little bit."
The hospital will use the money raised to expand the emergency services department. It will also help to build a 6-story intensive care unit for neo-natal and cardiac pediatric patients.
Fernandez is set to being the walk on Sept. 20th.