More than 160 participants came together in Chatham on June 1 for the inaugural Strong Starts for Tiny Hearts 5K Walk, Run & Stroll, raising more than $21,000 in support of women’s and children’s health care at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Foundation.
The community event was held at Mud Creek and brought together runners, walkers, families, volunteers and sponsors in support of the Women and Children’s Fund at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Foundation (CKHAF).
Organizers said funds raised will go toward enhanced medical equipment, resources and care for women, infants and children receiving treatment at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA).
“Seeing our community come together in support of local women’s and children’s health care was incredibly meaningful,” said Kristen Fife, an event organizer and nurse in the Women & Children’s Program at CKHA.
“Every participant, volunteer, sponsor and donor played a part in helping ensure women and children in Chatham-Kent have access to compassionate, high-quality care close to home. We are so grateful for the overwhelming support shown at this year’s event.”
Fife and co-organizer Shannon Verschraegen credited volunteers, donors and community partners for the success of the inaugural fundraiser.
“Events like this show just how our community cares about supporting local health care,” Verschraegen said. “Every registration, donation and sponsorship helps make a difference for families receiving care at CKHA. It was incredible to see so many people come together and help create stronger starts for our tiniest patients.”
The Strong Starts for Tiny Hearts 5K was created to support and strengthen women’s and children’s health services in the region and ensure families can access care close to home.
CKHA Foundation officials say the funds will help support vital equipment and improve care for patients across the hospital’s women and children’s programs.
Chatham-Kent Health Alliance is a 200-bed community hospital serving Chatham and rural Kent, with facilities in both Chatham and Wallaceburg. The hospital says it provides a full range of services including internal medicine, surgery, critical care, mental health services and women and children’s health care, supported by approximately 1,500 staff, 200 physicians and 300 volunteers.
Organizers say the success of the first-year event highlights strong community support for local health care initiatives and may help build momentum for future fundraisers.
