When walkers register for Cincinnati Walks for Kids each year, they become a part of the medical center. The funds raised by walkers can be designated to a specific part of the hospital, or can be directed to the greatest needs. Either way, those contributions are put to good use every single year, in dozens of different ways. Here are just a few of the ways walker donations directly impact the lives of patients and families:
Walk Aids
Patients are taking steps of their own thanks to teams and individuals who walk for the Divisions of Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy (OT/PT). Last year, therapists were able to purchase two walk aid devices that assist kids who’ve experienced setbacks due to a stroke, a spinal cord injury or a brain injury. The device is fitted around the leg and gently stimulates nerves so that patients can walk more naturally.
NICU Imaging
Our littlest patients are feeling the love from walkers who support the Perinatal Institute. The only infant-sized magnetic resonance (MR) scanner in the world housed within a Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is located at our Burnet Campus thanks, in part, to walk contributions. Having this machine in the NICU improves care by eliminating any potential risk of transporting fragile babies for imaging.
Summer Camp
Walker contributions to the Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute (CBDI) helped kids be kids at summer camp. At NjoyItAll Camp, patients ages 7-18 can enjoy swimming, climbing, canoeing, mountain biking, dancing and other fun activities without having to worry about their medical conditions. Physicians, nurses and staff are onsite 24 hours a day to provide care, if and when it is necessary. Camp is offered over two weeks in July at no cost to families.
Hearing Aids
Six children received a hearing aid for free last year because of walkers who supported the Department of Otolaryngology. Children born in Ohio are eligible for hearing aids at no cost up until they turn 3 years old through the Cincinnati Children’s Hearing Aid Trust (CCHAT). This program partners with audiologists and organizations around the state to help families overcome some of the financial burdens associated with hearing loss in children.
Research
Our total research space expanded to 1.4 million square feet this year, and support for the walk directly impacts the innovative work our scientists, doctors and researchers are doing there. One study supported by walkers last year was Dr. Ronald Waclaw’s research to find a cure for Noonan Syndrome, a genetic condition commonly associated with congenital heart disease.
Car Seats
Families received 22 free car seats in 2014 as a result of walkers who designated their support to our Trauma Services Department.
We’re getting ready to walk again – the 10th Annual Cincinnati Walks for Kids (#CincyWalks) is Saturday, Sept. 26, and we’d love for you and your family to join us. Register and learn more at cincywalks.org.
What area of the medical center will feel the impact of your support this year, and why? Tell us in the comments section below, or share your passion program on social media using the hashtag #CincyWalks.
