Annual Fundraiser for Dignity Health Chandler Regional and Mercy Gilbert Medical Centers Turns Virtual Due to COVID-19 Pandemic

(CHANDLER, Ariz. – Sept. 18, 2020) Dignity Health’s annual “Heroes in Health Care” community run is taking a virtual turn this year in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. In adherence with local social distancing guidelines, the event will virtually unite hospital staff, business partners, friends and family under a single cause in support of the hard working health care teams at Dignity Health Chandler Regional and Mercy Gilbert Medical Centers this October. 

While the teams will not be together in person at a traditional community run, participants are encouraged to raise funds and get moving in their neighborhood, park or on their treadmills to honor health care heroes who are working on and supporting the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Event participants will receive a State Forty Eight shirt, a custom face mask and more.

As a charitable organization committed to caring for the poor and disenfranchised, philanthropic contributions to this effort make a difference at Dignity Health by directly supporting critical programs and advancing health care for our rapidly-growing East Valley community. 

Proceeds from this year’s run benefit many teams at Chandler Regional and Mercy Gilbert, including some of Dignity Health’s Community Health programs such as the Healthier Living Program. 

Since April 2016, Dignity Health’s Healthier Living Program has provided free health education workshops to more than 1,500 seniors and other vulnerable populations. The program empowers participants to actively take charge of their health and well-being. This much-needed program helps to improve patients’ overall quality of life and only exists through grant funding and donations. 

“We are transforming lives one person at a time,” says Sherri Eshkibok, program manager for Dignity Health’s Healthier Living Program. “I am so grateful to be able to offer such a powerful program to the community. This type of free self-management health education is particularly beneficial for adults with chronic conditions, but it is even more impactful for the elderly and underserved populations who often live with multiple chronic conditions and are socially isolated – especially in today's COVID environment. I have been blessed to witness just how much this program can help reduce the loneliness and resulting depression that isolation often creates.”

You can support the Healthier Living team and others by:

Registering for the virtual community event, which costs $40, and inviting others to join or donate at: bit.ly/2020HeroesEV.

• Being safe and getting active in the community in honor of your local health care heroes at a time and place that is convenient for you on or before Oct. 24.