Lake Placid Ironman Fundraiser Kicks Off!

April 8th marked the date of the launch dinner in Montclair, NJ, for the Team 140.6 Haiti Lake Placid Challenge. It was a very successful event… with a house full of supporters … and RBC Capital Markets making an immediate contribution of $5,000 to the cause!

The fundraising effort is tied to the Lake Placid Ironman competition, but you don’t need to compete to contribute! Click here to go to the Team 140.6 Haiti Lake Placid Challenge 2011 website:

http://www.active.com/donate/1406forhaiti

The fundraising team describes the event:

The Team 140.6 Haiti will be among 2,500 other racers participating in Ironman Lake Placid on July 24th, 2011. While a significant personal challenge for each of us, we are racing to raise awareness and funds for the Lamp For Haiti Foundation.

Haiti is the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, the 4th poorest country in the world. 80% of the population lives on less than $1.00 per day and some 40–60% of the people lack access to basic health care services. “The Lamp”, founded by Thomas Griffin and James Morgan in 2006, operates in Cité Soleil, a slum outside of Port–au–Prince. Its dedicated staff administers basic health care; investigates allegations of human right abuses; and provides educational and humanitarian aid to an estimated 300,000 residents.

Since the Earthquake in early 2010, misery in and around Cité Soleil has increased. Now more than ever the local people depend on the vital medical services provided by the Lamp. Although the main building suffered some structural damage, Jim Morgan and his staff were able to reach the facility, make minor repairs and open their doors to continue their work.

The Lamp’s New Women’s Health Clinic
With the help of the 140.6 For Haiti Team, the Lamp is expanding. Women’s health is a major challenge in the region. The maternal mortality rate in Haiti is around 670/100,000 women compared to 11/100,000 women in the US. These numbers are likely higher in Cité Soleil. 2.2% of women of reproductive age are HIV positive.

Currently the Lamp medical clinic does not have the capacity to appropriately diagnose or treat sexually transmitted infections (STI’s) or cervical cancer. Lamp only has one volunteer midwife providing very cursory prenatal care when she is available. Family planning and sexual abuse counseling services are virtually non-existent.

The plan involves initially opening a women’s health clinic for one ½ day per week dedicated to treatment of STIs, providing contraceptives and counseling victims of domestic or sexual violence. The Lamp will employ and train one doctor and one nurse to deliver these services.

The Race
The Ironman race includes three legs – swim, bike and run – for a total distance of 140.6 miles. Racers swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles and run 26.2 miles. Ironman events are held around the world every year with Lake Placid being one of the most challenging courses on the circuit. Training for such an event began months ago; by the time race day arrives most participants will have logged well over 3,000 miles of swimming, biking and running. Team 140.6 Haiti includes seasoned racers (30+ races completed) and novices but all are dedicating Ironman Lake Placid to the Lamp and, in particular, the planned start up of a dedicated women’s clinic.

The 140.6 Challenge
$140.60 goes a long way in Haiti – basic medical supplies and preventative care for (5) women; one month’s supply of sanitary supplies for (8) women; and basic construction material to be used towards a new clinic building.

We are challenging donors to sponsor Team 140.6 Haiti for $1 per mile ($140.60). 100 contributions at this level will allow us to achieve our campaign goal of $14,060.00. These funds will be directed to basic treatment and diagnostic equipment for the women’s clinic; doctor and nurse salaries; and expansion of the facility to accommodate the new clinic.

Although completing the Ironman is a challenge, it pales in comparison to the race for survival the people of Haiti face every day. Together we can make a difference for the people of Haiti.

Contribute to the Team 140.6 Haiti Lake Placid Challenge by clicking on the link below.

http://www.active.com/donate/1406forhaiti

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