January 2, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT
Sherri Holman, MPH
Associate Director of Public Affairs
P (212) 939-1372 F (212) 939-1367
sherri.holman@nychhc.org

The Harlem Hospital Center and Renaissance Health Care Network Walk Team (Harlem Renaissance Walk Team) hit the New York City pavement in 2009, participating in five health walks and a NYC Marathon qualifying race, in an effort to bring awareness to the chronic diseases plaguing the Harlem community.  A total of 225 walkers and 3 runners participated in the walks and run; raising and donating more than $15,515 to four national health organizations.  These healthcare workers feel it’s not enough to just talk about health, instead, they go a step further; they go out into the community and actively support efforts to demonstrate, promote and raise awareness of important health issues.

The Harlem Renaissance Walk Team is made up of Harlem Hospital Center and Renaissance Health Care Network employees and their families and friends.  Team leaders rallied the team around the fact that each step and every dollar donated, delivered a message to the Harlem community that the Harlem Renaissance Walk Team is committed to making Harlem a healthier community.

The team kicked off their 2009 season at the 4^th Annual NYC Oral Cancer Walk in April at the Marcus Garvey Park.  Hundreds of people joined the team as they walked through Harlem calling attention to the fact that oral cancer kills over 7,000 American men and women each year.  Sixty five individuals received oral cancer screenings from dental students, in addition to blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose and HIV screenings by the Harlem Hospital Center’s Community Health Education and Outreach Department.  The Walk Team’s financial contribution of $1,260 was donated to the Oral Cancer Foundation.

The NYC Family Health Walk-A-Thon and the First Annual Percy Sutton 5K Run, another Harlem-based walk and run, attracted thousands of walkers and runners from the tri-state area; the Harlem Renaissance Walk Team was amongst the crowd, participating in the walk and race that was designed to get families involved in exercise and healthy living.  The walk-a-thon and 5K run was originated out of the Harlem Healthy Living Initiative, a partnership with the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, Harlem Hospital Center, The City of New York and other community-based health organizations.

The team also traveled outside of Harlem to take part in three national health walks, the Breathe New York Asthma Walk, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, and the Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes.  The Harlem Renaissance Team united with other concerned teams in NYC and across the United States, bringing awareness to the community that early detection and prevention saves lives.  The team raised $6,391 for the American Lung Association; to date, the American Cancer Society and the American Diabetes Association has received a total of $5,562 and $2,300 respectively; contributions are still coming in. 

“I am proud of the Harlem Renaissance Walk Team for their great determination, enthusiasm, and strength,” said, John M. Palmer, Ph.D., Executive Director of Harlem Hospital Center and the Renaissance Health Care Network.  “The team demonstrated that their contributions within the Harlem community are just as important, and extend beyond the care delivered between the walls of Harlem Hospital Center and the Renaissance Health Care Network.”