2014 Bronson Children's Hospital 5k Celebrates Record Results

More than 1300 runners and walkers made their way through downtown Kalamazoo Sunday during the 7th Annual Bronson Children’s Hospital Walk and Run 5k. The event brings people together to support the life-enhancing services for young patients at Bronson Children’s Hospital. This year, more than $97,000 was raised through registrations, donations and sponsorships.

Competitive 5k runners led the race, followed by hundreds of walkers, including many families and children in strollers. Volunteers from community organizations cheered the racers on at seven excitement zones along the route.

The event was kicked off by honorary starter Kevin VanDam. VanDam is an award- winning professional bass fisherman who has a special connection to Bronson Children’s Hospital. His twin boys were born four months premature and spent more than two months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

“The turnout for this event supporting Bronson Children’s Hospital demonstrates how much our community cares about helping children in this region who are battling illness or injury,” says Terry Morrow, executive director of the Bronson Health Foundation. “The funds raised will help us continue to provide art and music therapy, the Journey Beads program, and other specialized services to help kids and their families cope with being in the hospital.”

Many times these programs are not covered, or are only partially covered by insurance. Each year, there are nearly 60,000 inpatient and outpatient visits at Bronson Children’s Hospital, and no child is ever turned away because their family cannot pay.

You can still make a donation to help Bronson exceed our goal of raising $100,000 in support of local children and their families. Click here or call (269) 341-8100 to make a donation.

Save the Date

Join us on Sept. 27, 2015 for the next Bronson Children's Hospital Walk & Run, to help raise awareness and financial support for southwest Michigan’s only children’s hospital.