Park Nicollet CEO biking 200 miles in support of community health programs
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Press release
10/11/2011 –
Matt Lechner
For David Abelson a perfect weekend begins with a bike ride. Whether it’s a winding ride around Minneapolis’ chain of lakes or on an 80-mile trek near Lake Pepin, Park Nicollet’s CEO prefers pedal power to horse power. On October 11-13, Dr. Abelson will put that pedal power to good use as he begins a three-day ‘Tour de Clinic’ bike ride in support of community programs for people in need.
Dr. Abelson will travel more than 200 miles over three days, stopping at 22 Park Nicollet Clinic locations to raise awareness and funding for critical patient, family and community programs funded by Park Nicollet Foundation.
“The work of the Foundation means a great deal to me,” said Dr. Abelson. “I hope the ride helps increase awareness of the important work of the Foundation and I’m hopeful we get some new donors who haven’t given to Park Nicollet Foundation before.”
All of the money raised during the ‘Tour de Clinic’ will help fund community programs of Park Nicollet Health Services. In 2010, Park Nicollet Foundation gave over $3 million in grants to more than 100 community programs and organizations in Minneapolis and its suburbs. Some of those programs include:
- Four community clinics in Brooklyn Center, Burnsville, St. Louis Park and Wayzata offer no-charge health care to children infancy through high school. Participating families are unable to afford health care, are new to the area or have sensitive health care needs.
- Growing Through Grief, which provides grief support to students in nine area school districts who have experienced the death of a loved one.
- Stroke INSPIRE program serves 600 to 1,000 people per year, offering survivors and their families support and education through seminars and support groups.
- St. Louis Park Emergency Program (STEP) provides housing assistance, transportation to medical appointments and food for families in need.