This year, Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation is hoping to break records with Nature’s Emporium Run for Southlake on April 28.
As it is the 100th anniversary of Southlake, Jennifer Ritter, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the foundation, is hopeful the community will come together and each participant will be able to raise $100 for the run.
Last year, there were more than 1,250 participants in the run across 88 teams — 24 of which were "hospital family" teams — and more than $430,000 was raised in support of crucial needs at the Newmarket hospital.
“If every participant raised $100, and we have 1,000-plus participants in this year’s run, that would be $1 million for equipment,” said Ritter at the run's recent launch event at Nature's Emporium in Newmarket. “That would be incredibly helpful to Southlake — $100 for 100 years of leading edge care.”
The run helps support advanced and replacement equipment from MRIs to comfortable and safe beds. Ritter says when the community supports events like the run, it allows the hospital to continue to give the best and most advanced care.
“To say Nature’s Emporium Run for Southlake is important to clinicians and our hospital would be a gross understatement,” said Dr. Charmaine van Schaik, chief of staff at Southlake. “The communities we serve are among the fastest growing in Ontario, helping to make Southlake one of the most overcrowded hospitals in the province.”
Each year Southlake’s emergency department sees more than 115,000 visits, said van Schaik, an average of 315 visits per day or a new patient every 4.5 minutes.
“The exceptional care for our community is made possible in part thanks to the generosity and commitment of our sponsors and supporters, and the thousands of participants who will fundraise for Nature’s Emporium Run for Southlake,” said van Schaik. “When our run participants fund raise for Southlake, they’re literally putting tools in the hands of my fellow clinicians.”
This is the 22nd year of the run and the 12th year Nature’s Emporium has sponsored the event, helping to raise more than $3 million for Southlake.
“Our partnership is our way of giving back to the community we are proud to be a part of for 30 years,” said Joe D’Addario, CEO of Nature’s Emporium. “It’s the best community in the world.”
Ritter said the partnership between the foundation and the Newmarket-based health store is one of the most important aspects of the run because it shows how much those in the community want to support the run.
“It’s people who live in the community wanting to support the community and support Southlake in looking after families and friends and neighbours,” she said. “It’s a tangible expression of all of our passion and commitment to our hospital.”
The 2024 run already has 30 teams registered to participate, and Ritter is hopeful this year will be the biggest turnout yet.
“I don’t care if you run, walk, or dance, it’s a really fun day,” said Ritter.
Register for the five-kilometre run here.
