The sun is shining, low humidity, a light breeze…what a perfect day to go for a run. This sentiment was on the minds of many of the patrons at the Porter Regional Hospital’s grand opening. The hospital hosted the Healthy Hustle, a 5K run and non-competitive walk to celebrate the occasion.
“It was excellent! Our goal was not only to celebrate the opening of the new hospital, but to give the participants a chance to see what everything looks like on the campus,” said Patty Neely, Supervisor of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Department.
She coordinated the entire event along with many volunteers, some of whom worked at the hospital and others that did not.
“We had been planning this since the beginning of the year, and there was a wonderful set of volunteers. I’d like to thank the Porter County Sheriff’s department for directing traffic for us and Porter County EMS for helping with any emergency issues.”
The race course was set around the new hospital’s campus. Over 500 people came to pound the pavement. Michael Cains of Valparaiso was one of the runners. Cains is training for his fifth Chicago Marathon and has been running for about seven years.
“I liked the course. We ran back through the trees which was nice,” he said.
Anne Downey, an ER nurse who works at the new hospital also ran in the 5K, said “It was a great race, perfect weather. It’s also a great way to kick off the new Porter Hospital!”
Not only was the race a celebration of the hospital’s grand opening, it was a fundraiser as well. Kristina Boots, the Executive Director for the Porter County Cancer Society (PCCS) elaborated, “All the proceeds from today’s race are split between us [Porter County Cancer Society] and Lakeshore PAWS.”
The PCCS has been around since 1965 and is a non-profit organization that helps individuals in Porter County pay for medical expenses concerning cancer. Lakeshore PAWS is also a non-profit organization that is volunteer-based, and its mission is to help find forever homes for unwanted and abandoned animals in Northwest Indiana. Both charities were voted to be the recipients of the proceeds by the employees of Porter Regional Hospital.
After the race, participants chatted with one another amiably, feasted upon healthy snacks, and guzzled water. Awards were then given to the top 5K male and female finishers of each age division.
Overall, the Healthy Hustle was a success. “We’re going to do it again next year!” Neely exclaimed happily.
Sponsors for Porter Regional Hospital’s Healthy Hustle 5k were: Sodexo, McDonald’s, NWI Cardiovascular Physicians and Porter Regional Hospital.
Are you interested in seeing more of Porter Regional Hospital? Inside Community Tours of the hospital take place August 11-12.
Don’t miss the Old-Fashioned Family Picnic presented by the PCCS Sunday, August 12, 2012 at Sunset Hill Farm. For more information call (219) 462-7466.
Click here for more great photos from Saturday's Healthy Hustle!