News
Beebe Medical Foundation 2nd Annual Treat the Beat Brings Community Together to Fight Heart Disease
09/16/11
"Seven-year-old Jayson Kirschner, accompanied by six children wearing name tags
Jayson's Walk for All Kids Hearts , was among the 150 people who walked through the City of Lewes to raise awareness of heart disease.
The Lewes youngsters were taking part in the Beebe Medical Foundation's 2nd annual Treat the Beat 5K walk. In all more than 200 people supported the event, and gave a total of more than $20,000 in pledges and gifts to be used for cardiac and vascular services at Beebe Medical Center.
When Jayson heard about the walk, he wanted to take part, said his mother Betsy Kirschner. And, his brother Wesley and sister Terri wanted to support him. And so did his friends, Samantha Sordi, Quinn Dubre, Wes and Ben Hobbs.
The children donned name tags that said Jayson's Walk for All Kids' Hearts.
It was Jayson's idea, his mom said. He wants to do something to help people who have heart disease but that it affects kids as well. The Kirschner and Sordi family really want an awareness of pediatric cardiac issues in Sussex County.
At just two weeks old, Jayson had to have his first open-heart surgery to repair a defect of his aorta. And again, 5 months, another surgery to repair the aorta. He has only begun to understand how serious it is, Betsy Kirschner says. But he's a trooper.
Both Betsy and her husband Wes Kirschner took part in the event that day. Mid-Atlantic Family Practice returned as title sponsor. PMA Companies, KINETIK, Wilgus & Associates, and Cardiovascular Consultants of Southern Delaware also sponsored the event. Quest Fitness provided fundraising incentives and Quest's Matt Carter led stretching warm-up exercise prior to the start of the Walk. Nage restaurant in Rehoboth Beach donated a dinner for 2 to the top fundraiser.
The walk also was organized to encourage regular exercise, and to raise money for cardiac and vascular services at Beebe Medical Center. Last year the money raised was used to purchase a Nu-Step Stepper for Beebe's Cardiac Rehab Department, improve follow up care for congestive heart failure patients and expand education about heart disease in local schools.
Betsy Kirschner said that although Jayson is at patient at the Wilmington-based Nemours/Alfred I. DuPont Children's Hospital, he's been treated twice in the Beebe Medical Center Emergency Department.
They've been wonderful. They stay in contact with Nemours and do exactly what should be done, she said. There is wonderful collaboration between the two hospitals.
The walk, she added, is a good way of reminding people of the services that are available locally. Most of the time people have to be treated immediately in a cardiac emergency.
Beebe Medical Foundation would like to thank all of the walkers, donors and volunteers as well as the Beebe Medical Center employees, physicians and nursing students who made this event possible.
Photo caption: Dr. Mark Sordi of Mid-Atlantic Family Practice (back, right) looks over at Jayson Kirschner giving a high five to his grandfather Richard Kirschner as he crosses the finish line.
Beebe Medical Center is a not-for-profit community medical center with a charitable mission to encourage healthy living, prevent illness, and restore optimal health with the people residing, working, or visiting in the communities we serve. For more information, please visit us online at www.beebemed.org
"
|
