July 04, 2002
An Amazing Display Of Unity
Genesis Health System leads Bix 7 volunteers in All-American race
What makes the Quad City Times Bix 7 one of the nations most community-spirited races? The fact that probably no other race in America has so many volunteers certainly helps.
Consider the statistics: More than 5,000 volunteers serve on 122 committees to organize an event for the more than 20,000 participants of the Bix 7, Quick Bix and Junior Bix races. That translates to roughly one volunteer for every four racers!
Consider the extraordinary loyalty: Some chairpersons have led their volunteer committees for more than 20 years, making an annual commitment to the race and building a family tradition of volunteerism. Other steadfast volunteers have moved away to other parts of the country, only to return every year just to help with the event. Some committees involve hundreds of volunteers.
Its why Genesis Health System is honored to be the Official Volunteer Sponsor and a Gold Medal Sponsor -- especially in a year where patriotism and excitement abound over the Bix 7s first U.S. championship race, says Leo Bressanelli, President and CEO of Genesis Health System. He will fire the starters pistol at the All-American event.
Every year, in an amazing display of unity, these volunteers perform the multitude of tasks needed to make one of the countrys most celebrated road races a success, Bressanelli says.
That volunteerism can mean working the weekly Bix at Six training runs, setting up water stations, registering runners, providing security, controlling crowds, hosting the post-race party, coordinating chaos at the finish line or helping to log the names and race times of each and every runner so they can appear in the newspaper the next day to name just a few tasks.
For many years, the health professionals at Genesis have been involved in the Bix 7, helping to care for exhausted or injured runners in the medical tent or providing assistance through Medic Emergency Medical Services, Bressanelli says. They and all the 5,000 Bix volunteers represent the best of the Quad Cities and exemplify the spirit behind the fine community in which we live.
Helping The Overheated
Throughout much of Bix 7 history, Genesis medical professionals have staffed a medical tent at the 7-mile race and helped hundreds of over-heated runners and spectators who succumb to the traditionally humid Bix-morning temperatures.
Even the fittest of athletes may suffer from heatstroke if proper preventative measures are not taken.
Medical problems are something most people dont like to think about, says Karen LeMaster, Bix Medical Tent Chair and a nurse manager at Genesis. Theyre out to have fun. They dont anticipate theyll end up down with us at the medical tent.
About 200 people staff the tent, led by Bix Medical Director Edwin Motto, M.D. Every year, they caution race participants to drink plenty of fluids and pace themselves during the race.
Our tent is purely first aid and transport, LeMaster says of the tents capabilities. Our first attempt is to cool the runners down. We have a fair number of runners who need IV fluids because they are dehydrated. We try and reverse it, and if a patient doesnt respond to 2 liters of fluid, he or she is transported to the hospital.
Pediatric physicians and staff also man a medical tent at the Jr. Bix 7, tending to overheated youngsters, skinned knees and breathing problems.
Outside the medical tent, the staff of Genesis Health System also has a well-coordinated effort to respond to health emergencies amid crowds of 75,000 people or more. Medical personnel are on standby in the Genesis East and West campus Emergency rooms on race day.
In addition to having 13 ambulances strategically located at various points of the Bix 7 race course, eight Medic Emergency Medical Services (EMS) staff riding in teams of two also will travel the route on bicycles. Three staff members ride in each ambulance, an extra person to help. Volunteers with radios are stationed throughout the course. Outlying towns typically offer their ambulances as well.
Well have every ambulance out on the street that day, says Jerry Williams of Medic Emergency Medical Services. We really gear up for this event. It can be very challenging, especially on a hot day. One year we did 76 transports. The bike medics are handy because they can maneuver through the crowds and get places here vehicles cant.
Health & Fitness Expo
Genesis Health System is always working to reach out to residents long before they become sick or in need of medical care, Bressanelli says. And its why, for a second year, it is proud to sponsor the Genesis Health & Fitness Expo on July 18, 19 and 20 leading up to the Bix 7 race.
Last years interactive exhibits ranged from body fat analysis and health food samples to workout gear and exercise demonstrations. Now again at this years Expo, Quad Citians of all kinds whether theyre health-conscious Bix contenders or armchair athletes will find something to motivate them to live a healthier lifestyle.
After all, what better exemplifies a healthy and well Quad Cities than to witness the awe-inspiring rush of human spirit and drive as thousands of runners and walkers of all fitness levels conquer Brady Street hill? Bressanelli says.
Among those participants are the world-class athletes the headline makers, the prize winners, Bressanelli says. But also among the champions are our neighbors fellow Quad Citians who have trained hard or raced against major health odds and overcome physical hurdles in order to compete in this event.
It is victories such as these that we see in our hospitals each and every day and why we at Genesis find it so fitting to support an all-American event that unites so many people runners, walkers, volunteers and spectators of all medical backgrounds in a massive celebration of health and wellness and patriotism.
