Around campus, many students run to stay fit. But Saturday, May 1, Durham community members won't just be running for their own health--they'll be running for the Lincoln Community Health Center.
This year the City of Medicine Road Race will celebrate its 20th year of raising funds for the LCHC, which provides health care access to a wide range of Durham citizens, including many who do not have health insurance coverage. Last year, Duke University Health System contributed $4.7 million in services and funds to the health center, which relies heavily on donations from the community.
Dr. Evelyn Schmidt, director of the LCHC, said the proceeds from this year's race will go to high resolution digital cameras that are used in the screening for diabetic retinopathy, an eye disease caused by diabetes. "They will give us greater flexibility and allows us to screen a larger portion of our patients more accurately and quickly," she added.
Improving eye care has always been a priority for LCHC and the Road Race. Schmidt said the first race was started to raise money so that the center could open its first eye clinic. The cameras this year's funds will purchase will be instrumental in the center's treatment of its nearly 3,000 patients with diabetes, as diabetes-related sight problems are becoming more common.
"Forty-five people a day in America go blind because of diabetes," Schmidt noted.
Health promotion will be one of the themes of the day's events, which include several separate races and a health fair, all at the Durham County Stadium. In addition to the main event--a competitive 15-kilometer race--participants will have the option of entering a five-kilometer run/walk or a one-mile Fun Run. The youngest athletes can enter the 150-foot Wee Walk and 75-foot Diaper Derby.
Before, during and after the races, participants and spectators will be able to enjoy LCHC's health fair, which will offer blood pressure checks, wellness information and other services,
Administrative Manager Claire Crenshaw said. She added that runners will also enjoy special perks, such as free massages and childcare during the races.
"We are the only [race] in the state who offers childcare for our runners," Crenshaw noted, adding that it enables families will be able to enter more than one runner.
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