UCLA Bates-Jensen Wound REACH Foundation

Hi,

I am writing to tell you about my new project and to ask for your support. I have started a foundation, the UCLA Bates-Jensen Wound REACH Foundation. My vision for the foundation is simple, to run charity race events to raise funds to support programs in Wound Research, Education, And Clinical Health that make a difference for patients with wounds globally.

Chronic wounds affect people across many diseases and conditions (such as Diabetes, Cancer, Vascular disease), of any age, and involve many different health care professionals. For me, setting up this foundation is a personal commitment to improve wound care here in the U.S. and in resource poor countries. The turning points for me have been my efforts in Haiti following the earthquake last year and my recent running activities.

Providing and directing care as the Chief of wound care services in the tent hospital in Haiti one month after the earthquake was truly life changing. I returned to Haiti in July 2010 to provide wound education for Haitian physicians and nurses. These experiences opened my eyes to the needs of wound patients and clinicians around the world and I have felt compelled to do something to improve the situation.

Last year I started running. I ran my first marathon in March 2010. Each time I pay the entry fee and run a race, I think it would be great if I could run a race that helped my other passion, wound care.

My work here in the U.S. continually reinforces the need for an organized effort to improve conditions, research funding, and education related to wound care and the Haiti experience showed me the need globally. My goals are to raise funds to set up sustainable wound clinics in resource poor countries and train in-country health care workers in wound care. I want to support U.S. wound care in each location where we host our race events.

The Ouch! Race Series is a series of race events conducted throughout a year. This year we have 3 events planned; a 5/10K run walk in Grapevine Texas, a 5/10K run walk and half marathon in Iowa (August), and a 5/10K run walk and half marathon in Washington DC (Sept. 10). Charity race events may be held in conjunction with professional health care organization meetings, such as wound care meetings, oncology meetings, diabetes meetings.

Our first event will be Saturday April 16th 7am-10am at the Symposium for Advanced Wound Care in Grapevine Texas (just outside of Dallas). The proceeds from this event will benefit the Dallas County Hospital Wound Program and provide scholarships for wound care professionals through Health Volunteers Overseas. Every $2,500 earned is enough to fund one health care professional to travel and work in one resource poor country for one week; $15,000 provides funding to support the equipment needed to set up a sustainable wound clinic, $7,500 can fund a telemedicine system for wound care to allow for real-time support and feedback from wound experts. I am asking for your support for the foundation. Please help me make a difference in wound care. Opportunities include:

1.      Mile Marker Partner - sponsor a mile marker, you or your company will be listed on the race website as having sponsored the mile for that race event ($2,500). You can have signage at the mile marker and company representatives to cheer on the racers.

a.      There are 6 miles and one finish line that could be sponsored for the Texas race, there are 13 miles and finish line for the Iowa and DC races.

b.      You can sponsor a water stop or the end of race food and drink

2.      Race Sponsor - sponsor the race series, you or your company logo will be printed on the back of the race t-shirt which will be the shirt for all 3 races ($3,000)

3.      Medal or Race BIB sponsor - sponsor the completion race medal or the race bib.

4.      Sponsor race t-shirts or other merchandise

5.      Presenting Sponsor - present the race series, you or your company logo and name will be printed on the front of the race t-shirt for all 3 races and included in all materials regarding the 2011 race series (for example: the LA Marathon presented by Honda). ($10,000)