N E W S R E L E A S E
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 4, 2019
Record 1,008 Runners Raise $72,077 at 12th Annual Cantina Kids Fun Run
Over $560k Total Raised for Children’s Healthcare at Saratoga Hospital
Runners sprint out from the Quarter Mile Race start line. A record-breaking 1,008 runners took part in the 12th Annual Cantina Kids Fun Run held in Congress Park on Sunday, June 2. The event raised $72,077 – bringing the event’s lifetime proceeds to over $560,000 in support of children’s healthcare at Saratoga Hospital.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY, June 4, 2019—The 12th Annual Cantina Kids Fun Run, presented by New Country Motor Car Group, was another success thanks to a record 1,008 participants and a cooperative Mother Nature. Against a backdrop of sun and smiling children, the event raised $72,077 on Sunday, June 2 in Congress Park, bringing the event’s lifetime proceeds to over $560,000 in support of children’s healthcare at Saratoga Hospital. Participation surpassed the previous record of 980 set last year.
“We are beyond grateful to the families who come out year after year to support this community event,” said Heath Ames of the Cantina restaurant, who conceived the idea with her husband Jeff and brought it to Saratoga Hospital in 2008. “At the beginning, we hoped the Fun Run would make an impact on the quality of pediatric healthcare for our community, but to know that we have raised over $560,000 since then is incredible. We could not have accomplished this without the sponsors, volunteers, and enthusiastic runners – thank you!”
Pediatric patients require special equipment and expertise, and the Cantina Kids Fun Run has assisted with both to ensure Saratoga Hospital is ready for whatever comes through its doors. Funds raised from the Fun Run have supported capital needs, as well as ongoing, critical training and specialized equipment for Hospital staff involved in pediatric care. A sampling of the what proceeds have made possible include enhanced training on pediatric blood draws, on-site trauma course training, neonatal resuscitation training, acquiring a pediatric video laryngoscope, on-site education in pediatric and adolescent psychiatry, and simulation training for nurses using a SimJunior (an interactive, programmable pediatric mannequin).
The top finishers in each of the Fun Run events are:
Quarter Mile Race
Boys Girls
First: Quintin Tierney First: Emerson Cantanucci
Second: Taylor Patrick Endres Second: Kate Greiner
Third: Owen George Third: Ellie Arnold
1 Mile Race
Boys Girls
First: Gianangelo Lanza First: Keira Rogan
Second: Owen Winter Second: Savannah Winter
Third: Brent Pasek Third: Madison Nesbitt
Healthiest School Contest (the school with the highest percentage of registered students)
Saratoga Independent School
Jeff and Heath Ames, owners of Cantina restaurant, are the founders of the Fun Run. Major sponsors of the event included New Country Motor Car Group, Millennium Medical Imaging, Adirondack Trust Company, and WNYT News Channel 13.
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About Saratoga Hospital Foundation: Saratoga Hospital Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Saratoga Hospital, Saratoga County’s leading healthcare provider. As such, the foundation secures, manages and distributes charitable gifts to support the mission of Saratoga Hospital. Over the years, the foundation has raised more than $55 million for Saratoga Hospital programs and facilities, all of which benefit the people of the Saratoga region. For more information, visit www.saratogahospitalfoundation.org.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Katie Rocque
Manager, Institutional Advancement
Saratoga Hospital Foundation
518.583.8789
krocque@saratogahospital.org
Peter Hopper
Director, Marketing and Communications
Saratoga Hospital
518.583.8679
phopper@saratogahospital.org