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Over a hundred thousand dollars was raised in the North Bay Regional Health Centre’s Our Hospital Walk/Run Event. 700 participants, going solo and in teams, braved the cold morning to make Sunday's fundraising and fitness challenge such a success.
The efforts of spirited community team, Century 21 Movers and Shakers, had them awarded top spot in fundraising to take home the Silver Bed Pan trophy. The Wild Wild West team won in the Health Centre category while the new school team challenge was won by FIRST Team 1305, the Near North Student Robotics Initiative.
President and CEO of the North Bay Regional Health Centre Foundation, Tammy Morison, explained the importance of the annual event. “Our Hospital Walk/Run helps to purchase medical equipment at the health centre to elevate the overall wellness of the community.”
Although the runners were active, numbers were down from last year. Morison wasn't too quick to blame the poor weather. She has seen a trend in lower attendance in other fundraising events. Morison reasoned “maybe it's time to motivate our community to come out and support the hospital while being active and charitable at the same time.”
A portion of the funds raised from Sunday's total of $102,250.00 will go towards the purchase of a Central Fetal Monitoring System. Part of the new technology will help doctors use their smartphones to observe the heart rate of a baby for labour and delivery. Total cost of the system will be $1.5 million dollars.
Another portion of the funds from the event will be spent on baby and toddler mental health in the new six-bed Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit.
Men are also a focus of this year’s fundraising efforts. Money will be set aside for the purchase of a Green Light Laser for surgery for the treatment for enlarged prostate.
Seventy-five year old Bruce Nevison took part in the event for the 8th time. Nevison was diagnosed with prostate cancer in April. He credits his early diagnosis and treatment to the Health Centre staff. Nevison says he has a passion for sport, so “it’s an incredible feeling to do something you love, while also helping the hospital.”
