NEWS RELEASE
ORILLIA SOLDIERS' MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
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The 2nd Annual Charlee’s Run will take place Saturday at Couchiching Beach Park in Orillia, with event proceeds benefitting the Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH) Outpatient Pediatric Program. The 5k/1km Fun Run/Walk is being held in honour of all those who have experienced prenatal and infant loss.
“Our late daughter Charlee Clare Holmes passed away at OSMH only two hours after birth,” said organizers Mallory and David Holmes. “We can’t put into words how amazing it feels to be able to honour her legacy, while raising some much needed funds for children who use the services of OSMH’s outpatient pediatric project.”
The hospital’s Outpatient Pediatric Program is currently spread out between three different sites both inside and outside the hospital walls. With the support of Charlee’s Run and the community, plans are underway to move all of these services (including kid’s cancer care, diabetes, eating disorder services and more) to the second floor of the hospital, which involves renovating the space to make it more child and family friendly. By having all outpatient pediatric services on one floor of the Hospital, patients will save precious time and energy with appointments scheduled more strategically. This is part of the hospital’s greater movement to “wrap care” around the patient.
“The impact Charlee’s Run has had on our hospital, and the entire community is nothing short of incredible,” said Lisa Wanamaker, Development Officer, Annual Giving. “The Outpatient Pediatric Program sees more than 11,000 visits per year, and events such as Charlee’s Run help to ensure we can continue providing the best care possible.”
Last year, Charlee’s Run raised over $40,000 for OSMH’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit project. To support Charlee’s Run, visit their website at www.charleesrun.com, or attend on event day to register for $30.
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