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Father’s Day run raises funds for GBMC “family”
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Related Topics: Towson, Md.
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Gabbie Hunter, 9, and her father Eric Hunter, 43, of Timonium, dash off the starting line at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center’s 19th Annual Father’s Day 5k Run Sunday morning in Towson.
Towson, Md. (Map, News) - For nearly two months in 1997, complete strangers became Cynthia Courtney’s family.
When she went into labor prematurely with her son Noah nearly 10 years ago, Courtney was far from her New York home. Now living in Forest Hill, she and her family remain close to those who took care of them at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center.
“These people are amazing ... For 63 days, they were our family, and they still are,” Courtney said.
The nurses and doctors kept in touch even after she was released, and since then her family has participated twice in GBMC’s Father’s Day Fun Run.
Sunday morning’s 5K run and 1.5-mile walk drew more than 900 people to the campus of Goucher College in Towson, with registration fees and pledges benefiting the NICU, GBMC Foundation spokeswoman Jil Robins said. While fundraising totals were not yet available as of Sunday afternoon, Robins said last year’s event raised more than $48,000.
“We had a great crowd — at least as many, if not more, than last year.” Robins said. “We had lots of kids and many NICU grads, which was great to see.”
Noah Courtney, 9, was honored after Sunday’s race for raising $660 for the NICU — including $100 from his 7-year-old brother. All children who completed the walk received medals.
When Addy Benjamin was born on Father’s Day one year ago, her mother Kim began losing blood due to complications in childbirth and slipped into a coma. Addy was admitted to the NICU for monitoring while Kim recovered in intensive care.
“They were her mommy when I couldn’t be,” Kim said, playing with Addy in the courtyard of the Towson Sheraton after the run.
Not all who came were connected to GBMC: John Wisniewski of Perry Hall took the opportunity to join his daughter Janna on her first 5K run, taking pride in the chance to do so on Father’s Day.
Kipchirchir Bitok, a graduate student at Johns Hopkins, convinced the six people working in his lab to join him in the run and raise money through their registration fees.
“It’s one way to have fun and give back to the community... it’s almost like a family thing,” Bitok said.
msantoni@baltimoreexaminer.com
Comments from Examiner Readers
5:50 PM MST on Sat., Aug. 11, 2007 re: "Dixon’s fundraising lead is a runaway"
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Examiner Reader said:
Yeah OCO, and supposedly one of Noris's many women on the side was Sheila Dixon.. They did recently rendezvous in a hotel. LOL Anyway, the city needs to use all potential resources and experts to get a handle on this crime problem. Norris was better than what we've had since. Besides, I'd trust him as much as I'd trust no-bid contractto family and friends Dixon and $40,000 missing money Mitchell. LOL
215 agree | 200 disagree
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Jill Carter said:
I hope Jill Carter is right about integrity mattering more than money but I fear otherwise.
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Examiner Reader said:
For those who didn't hear the radio debate, the candidate's statements are on the Sun website. You can click it on from the blog on mayor race 2007. See for yourself.
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Examiner Reader said:
Of course Dixon leads in fundraising. She's very easily bought, and that's why she has never done anything for the people of the city, only those who've paid her off.
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Examiner Reader said:
I have a lot of respect for Delegate Jill Carter. Unfortunately, she is incorrect. You need millions of dollars to become mayor. Every mayor elected this decade has had millions of dollars.
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Examiner Reader said:
Mike Huckabee came in fourth, beating McCain. That is telling as well. Thompson getting second was probably the truest "surge" vote, because Romney's volunteers were out in full force and bought lots of ballots.
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Examiner Reader said:
I don't even see how anyone could disagree with both comments posted below???
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Examiner Reader said:
My son Christopher died from Batten Disease 3 years ago at age 8. It is ALWAYS fatal, as there is no cure or treatment for it. Since it is a rare disease, large pharma's will not see a big return on their investment, so they do not fund any research for a cure. Much of the research funding comes from fundraisers by the families of affected children. Its alot to do when you are already stretched to the limits caring for a sick, and in many cases multiple sick children. I think if more people knew how devastating and fatal this disease was, there might be more buzz to create awareness. Visit BDSRA.org to learn more and to see the faces of our children.........they are special gifts indeed!
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Examiner Reader said:
Thank you for writing this article. I also have two children with juvenile Batten Disease. One thing you left out of yur article is that Batten Disease is always fatal. If the family wanted that omitted from the article I can totally understand that. However if they didn't want it excluded that is a very powerful statement. Also we want more of the general public to know about this disease that is killing children every year and that the Federal government is doing very little to help in the research to find a cure or treatment for this disease. I believe this is something that the publice should be aware of. Also that the members of the BDSRA are the main the main source of fund raising for research against this disease. An interview with the executive director of BDSRA could also add more wait to your article and also raise more awareness for the disease. Please continue to write about this disease and raise as much awareness as possible. Thank you for your help.
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