Thursday, September 3, 2009

Doing Well by Doing Good by Patty DeDominic



It's Official: Heroes With Big Hearts Set A New World Record


That's my friend, Mary Schnack... in one of her favorite "Scarey" poses! Mary speaks all over the world helping to empower people to be better at advocacy and crisis communication.


This week she is in Iceland!


More News...... How would you like to work at a place which holds the world record for the most Superheros? If you are looking for real career satisfaction, go to work at YOUR local Children's Hospital!



Official: Heroes With Big Hearts Set A New World Record

The Children's Hospital at Dartmouth (CHaD) recently set a new world record for the most people gathered in superhero costumes in one place at the same time.



Hanover, N.H. (PRWEB) September 3, 2009 -- Superheroes coming together during times of crisis to battle a common foe is a typical theme in comic books. Upper Valley residents got a chance to see fiction turned to reality this past weekend as the Children's Hospital at Dartmouth (CHaD) set a new Guinness World Record by bringing together 1,016 superheroes in conjunction with its recent CHaD Heroes Half Marathon and Relay.

Despite a rainy, overcast day, thousands turned out for the event with a record-breaking number in superhero costumes, easily eclipsing the previous record. The event was a success on all fronts. Over 800 runners participated, including 107 registered 3-person relay teams and nearly 550 runners who took on the challenging 13.1-mile half-marathon course. Keith Drake of Hanover set a new course record at 1 hour, 14 minutes, 23 seconds. The top female runner, Tracy Joslin of Waitsfield, VT, finished at 1 hour, 33 minutes, 51 seconds. Complete results and photos are available online at www.chadhalf.org.

Over 400 children and their families participated in "Cam's Course," a one-mile fun run in honor of Cameron Marshall, a CHaD patient from Lyme who is being treated for leukemia. Also new this year was a roughly 5K walking course that included 50 walkers.

Organizers say the world record try with the superhero theme was meant to symbolize the heroic nature of the battles that many CHaD patients with serious health conditions fight on a daily basis. It also recognizes as heroes the parents who take care of them, the care providers who treat them, the researchers who work tirelessly to find cures, and the community members who support them through fundraising and volunteering.

"We are so lucky to have an institution like CHaD in our backyard, and lucky that people are willing to do what it takes to support it," said event volunteer organizer Nini Meyer. "I remember standing on stage and looking down at the sea of capes in front of me thinking that surely I was witnessing the best of humanity. It was an incredible sight to see our community rallied in a superhuman show of hope and protection. I felt incredibly lucky to be part of this magic."

The event raised an estimated $225,000 for research and patient care at CHaD, New Hampshire's only children's hospital. The Children's Hospital at Dartmouth provides an extended system of care that offers advanced clinical services for children. This includes everything from well-care visits to the most complex childhood diseases. CHaD also recently added a new Emergency Services Unit as part of its Emergency Department. CHaD is part of Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC), the only Level I Pediatric (and Adult) Trauma Center in Northern New England.

"Everyone at CHaD is in awe of the outpouring of support by our community," said CHaD Director Paul Merguerian, M.D. "The CHaD Hero Half provides critical financial support which allows us to care for the sickest and most critically injured children. This heroic effort truly makes a difference in our young patient's treatment and recovery and supports the wellbeing of the children and families we serve."

"We felt from the onset that the superhero metaphor worked beautifully in terms of describing the heroes on staff at CHaD, but also in providing hope and empowerment for families struggling with illness," Meyer added. "The symbol of a superhero is instantly recognizable to people of all ages, and instantly lends a sense of enthusiasm and positive energy.






<http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/09/prweb2827924.htm>

1 comment:

Nathan L. said...

What a wonderful article! I'm so happy that so many people decided to help people who truly need it. I'm so grateful that I had the opportunity last March to help kids with cancer.

Through an organization called, St. Baldrick's, I was able to raised money for children with cancer, and instead of running a marathon like other organizations, we get are heads shaved, so like the kids we don't have hair either. It was a wonderful experience.

From,

Nathan L.
G2G Intern