Parents, Former Patients to Run for GBMC's NICU

There are few better markers of good health than running a 5K.

And over more than two decades of a fundraiser, doctors and nurses in the hospital's neonatal intensive care unit have seen more than a few of its tiniest patients grow up to run the three-plus miles themselves.

"It's just tremendous for all of us on staff here because we care for them in most cases a very short period of time," said Dr. Howard Birenbaum, the hospital's director of neonatology. "And the ability to see what's happened to them and they've grown is just amazing for everyone who's involved in the care of those babies."

Those former patients will be among more than 1,000 expected runners in GBMC's 23rd annual Father's Day 5K and one-mile fun walk in Hunt Valley on Sunday.

As of last week, the GBMC Foundation had raised more than $70,000 from the race, said Jenny Coldiron, the foundation's president, with registration up nearly 14 percent over last year.

"The gratitude that these families feel about GBMC health care is simply amazing," Coldiron said. "You don't think you're going to need a NICU. You find out the great news you're pregnant you're going along then boom, something happens."

In 23 years, the race has raised over $1.5 million for the unit, which cares for about 400 babies each year. That money, Birenbaum said, goes to updating equipment and defraying the cost of expensive procedures. A new incubator, he said, can run $40,000 to $50,000. Inhaled nitric oxide treatments, used for newborns experiencing breating trouble, can cost $2,000 per day.

"This annual event brings a lot of attention to what we do," he said. "It helps to generate much-needed funds to support our division of neonatology."

The race, once held in downtown Towson when it was much smaller, has reflected that growth of attention and support, Coldiron said.

"I think what makes it such a special race is that people fro the community come out and dads run with their daughters and sons," she said,

The race is scheduled to start at 8 a.m. at the . Registration is $25, both online and on race day. For more information or to register, visit the GBMC Foundation's website.