I’m excited to share that I’m captaining the marathon team for Hemby Children's Hospital (Novant) this fall on November 15th as part of the Charlotte Marathon. This cause is deeply important to me, not only because of the incredible impact Hemby has on its patients and their families, but also because of our family's own experience.
When we lived in Boston, we went through scary health issues with our youngest son, and the care and support we received from local children's hospitals is something we will be eternally grateful for. These doctors and nurses are doing heroic work on the front lines every day, and as one of fastest growing cities in the United States our demand for their services will only increase. The best part is that anyone can join our team - whether you want to run the full marathon, walk a 5K, or anything in between, your involvement makes a difference!
You can sign up here and choose Hemby as your team: https://thecharlottemarathon.com/
Every dollar you raise goes directly to the hospital improving facilities, adding new capabilities, and ensuring families have the support they need through some of their toughest days. Funds raised through the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon are supporting the creation of a new Pediatric Intermediate Care Unit (IMCU) at Hemby Children’s Hospital. This dedicated unit will serve as a vital bridge between the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and the general pediatric floor, ensuring seamless transitions and continuous, high-quality care. By doing so, it helps reserve critical PICU resources for the sickest children in our community.
Equipped with the same state-of-the-art technology found in the PICU and staffed with a higher nurse-to-patient ratio, the IMCU is designed to meet the unique needs of its patients. According to a study by the Society of Critical Care Medicine, specialized care provided in intermediate care units can significantly reduce the risk of readmission, highlighting the important role this unit will play in improving pediatric outcomes.
As part of the team you will hear incredible stories from patients and doctors, and join an amazing group of individuals passionate for making a difference in our local community. You can also reach out to Danielle Smith at the Novant Health Foundation (she is awesome) if you'd like to learn more or visit the facilities: DSmith22@novanthealth.org.
Thank you for supporting Team Hemby and look forward to seeing you on race day!
