Novant Health Hemby Children’s Hospital
If you’ve ever had to take your child to the hospital — especially in an emergency — you know how scary it can be for you and for them. Novant Health Charlotte Marathon is proud that proceeds from the annual race help the most vulnerable members of our community – the children – find comfort at that unsettling time.
The Novant Health Charlotte Marathon has donated nearly $250,000 to Novant Health Hemby Children’s Hospital since 2013, including a $42,000 donation for the 2021 marathon. The marathon continues to partner with Hemby Children’s Hospital to fulfill a variety of family care needs.
During the past two years, the marathon’s donations supported two major projects designed for families of children in the hospital’s care.
Located right inside the entrance of Hemby Children’s Hospital, Caroline’s Corner is a 1,100-square-foot respite space with comfortable seating, workstations and even showers for family members who don’t want to leave the hospital when their little ones are receiving care.
The other project is the renovation of an indoor-outdoor playground to be a magical place “under the sea.” The new Blume Family Playground gives children and their families a chance to take a break from the stress of being in the hospital. The playground, which is nearly 4,000 square feet, includes toys modeled like colorful sea creatures and a pirate ship!
The “under the sea” theme also extends to another Charlotte Marathon-supported part of Novant Health Presbyterian Hospital, outside of Hemby – the radiology suite. An MRI cover makes the big machine look like an undersea adventure, while a wall mural in the suite completes the theme.
In 2022, our partnership continues as Hemby Children’s Hospital breaks ground on the expansion of their NICU, with 12 new patient beds and places for families to rest while their children receive treatment. The Novant Health Charlotte Marathon looks forward to joining Hemby Children’s Hospital’s efforts to make hospital care less scary for kids.
After all, caring for children is like a marathon — not a sprint.
To donate to projects at Hemby Children’s Hospital, register for the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon! Or go to SupportNovantHealth.org, and choose Hemby Children’s Hospital to determine where your gift will be spent.
