Event Needs Sponsors

Murphy, NC  – Murphy Medical Center’s 19th annual “Two Hours from Anywhere” 5K Challenge, two-mile Heart Walk and Kids’ Fun Run is set for Saturday, September 19.  Race organizers are calling on businesses and individuals to sponsor the event, a fundraiser supporting the development of a new Urgent Care Center and Family Practice in Murphy.

“When businesses and individuals sponsor this family-friendly event, they’re also contributing to their community,” said Kathi Osborne, Foundation Director at the hospital.  “This event will help us meet the need for patient care in our area.”

The non-profit hospital is accepting tax-deductible sponsorships now through the event date.  To be included in event promotion materials, donations should be submitted by August 15. 

“RBC Bank appreciates the opportunity to serve and support our communities,” said Personal & Business Banking Manager Amberly Lamb. “We are dedicated to being the top ‘Relationship Bank’ in the Southeast, and what better way to do that than to strengthen the foundations of our communities in which we serve through supporting programs such as this one?”

Currently, the Urgent Care Center is housed in a 13-year-old modular unit in Valley Village Shopping Center on Andrews Road in Murphy.  “Patients would benefit from additional space and new equipment,” according to Mike Stevenson, hospital CEO. “When the Urgent Care Center opened in 1997, we treated 4,344 patients. In 2008, we treated more than 11,000 patients,” Stevenson said.

Stevenson explained that the Urgent Care Center offers a lower cost alternative to the hospital’s Emergency Department. “Those 11,000 treated at our Urgent Care Center collectively saved $5,000,000 over having been treated in our Emergency Department.” 

The addition of a Family Practice addresses the significant physician shortage in our area according to Stevenson. “We’ll be able to provide a medical home to thousands of area residents,” Stevenson stated.

The new facility will be located on the corner of Highway 74 and Ledford St. in Murphy to provide easy access to all area residents.  Renovations to the building are currently underway.

The 5K challenge and two-mile heart walk will start at 9:00 a.m. from the Nursing Home at the rear of the hospital.  Awards for top male and female runners and walkers in a range of age groups will be presented, along with a variety of other awards.  A Kids’ Fun Run will follow the challenge and all children will receive participation trophies.

Awards for Lighten-Up, an eight-week community weight-loss challenge, will also be announced at the event.