WEST READING, PA — Reading Hospital Road Run, hosted by The Friends of Reading Hospital, is set to take off on Sunday, October 15, 2023, and includes both a half marathon and 5K event. Registration for Reading Hospital’s Road Run is open through October 10, 2023.
Proceeds from the run will be used to support the McGlinn Cancer Institute Patient Assistance Fund, which provides financial relief with non-medical expenses to cancer patients in need who are undergoing surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation treatment at the institute.
On average, McGlinn Cancer Institute screens 1,200 new patients per year and approximately 1/3 of these patients indicate financial concerns before their treatment begins.
In 2022, the Reading Hospital McGlinn Cancer Institute Patient Assistance Fund aided patients seeking treatment at the center with a variety of non-medical expenses like rent assistance, grocery bills and transportation to and from treatment.
The youngest patient the fund has assisted was 18 and the eldest was 81.
Patients in need received approximately $600 during treatment to help cover housing and utilities, car and gas payments, groceries, and lymphedema garments.
“We are so grateful to The Friends of Reading Hospital and Reading Hospital Foundation for their continued support of our patients,” said Michael Brown, MD, Medical Director, McGlinn Cancer Institute at Reading Hospital. “This fund is life changing. We have had many patients come to us worrying that they would have to choose between seeking treatment or paying their bills – something no patient should ever have to do. The McGlinn Patient Assistance Fund helps to alleviate that stress so our patients can focus on their health journey.”
Every donation will continue to provide life-changing support to those receiving treatment at McGlinn Cancer Institute:
- A $50 donation provides a gift card to ensure patients have gas to get to their appointments for care and treatment.
- A $100 donation ensures patients can pay a utility bill or feed their families.
Those who wish to donate to the McGlinn Cancer Institute Patient Assistance Fund without registering for the race may do so here.
“When a patient is diagnosed with cancer there can be a lot of unknowns,” said Beth Kohl, The Friends of Reading Hospital Board Member and Chair of Road Run. “Patients don’t know if they will be able to continue to work and that can have a significant impact on their families. We are proud that we were able to help 53 people in 2022 and it is our hope that we are able to expand assistance in 2023 and beyond.”
Reading Hospital Road Run offers runners both a Half Marathon and 5K event that is chip-timed and will cover a variety of rolling terrain in neighborhoods and local parks surrounding Reading Hospital. The event is open to runners of all experience levels.
5K Pricing:
- July 1 to September 18: $32 per runner
- September 19 to October 10: $38 per runner
Half Marathon Pricing:
- July 1 to September 18: $75 per runner
- September 19 to October 10: $85 per runner
To register or to donate to Reading Hospital’s McGlinn Cancer Institute Patient Assistance Fund, visit RHRoadRun.com.
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