ASHBURN, Va., Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Children’s National Medical Center in Washington DC is now $190,000 closer to the construction of a Cardiovascular Surgery operating suite thanks to area home builder, Van Metre Companies and their 13th annual 5-Mile Run. Saturday morning, October 9th, over 300 runners turned out to show their support for the cause and set off on a course through the streets and bike trails of the Broadlands community in Ashburn.
Since its inception, the annual Van Metre 5-mile event has contributed a total of $1.3 million to the Children’s National Medical Center’s Cardiology Fund and Children’s Fairfax Outpatient Center. However, beginning October 2001 the donations have been set aside for a state-of-the-art operating room that will provide Children’s cardiovascular surgeons with the optimal environment for surgery.
The current facility is more than 20 years old. In total, the renovations will cost $1.2 million dollars, 70 percent of which must be raised before the hospital can break ground. Van Metre’s donation on Saturday brings the total fund to over $800,000.
More than 30 sponsors helped make the event possible. There were six different levels of sponsors ranging from Contributor (a $500 donation) to Winner’s Circle Sponsor (a donation of $5,000 or more).
“This new wing will mean an enormous difference to the level of care that Children’s National Medical Center is able to provide,” said Vaydre Parsons of Van Metre Homes. “With the most innovative cardiovascular surgical space and top of the line equipment, Children’s will improve surgery outcomes.”
Van Metre dedicated the new medical facility to the recently retired Dr. Frank M. Midgley at the closing ceremony of the event. Midgley, who joined Children’s National Medical Center in 1974, was given this honor in light of his devoted career, as well as his dedication and service to thousands of children. He is also one of two people who have participated in all 13 Van Metre 5-Mile Runs. At the close of the festivities on Saturday, a plaque was presented to Children’s National Medical Center in Midgley’s honor to hang in the new operating suite.
The top three finishers from both the men’s and women’s divisions crossed the tape in under 30 minutes. Aurelio Handanga of Baltimore had the overall best time, completing the course in a record 23:57. Sharon Lemberger of Washington, D.C. was the first woman to cross the finish line, with a time of 28:08.
The Van Metre Companies, a family-owned, Northern Virginia based residential development and homebuilding firm, was founded in 1955. It includes Van Metre Homes, which develops new home communities and builds nearly 600 new homes annually. Van Metre also develops, builds and manages apartment communities, provides mortgage and title services and builds custom homes through their Marquis Custom Homes brand. More information about Van Metre Companies can be found online at http://www.vanmetrehomes.com/.
Van Metre Companies
CONTACT: Sarah Trimmer of Fraser Wallace Advertising, +1-847-325-5822,or sarah@fraserwallace.com, for Van Metre Companies
Web site: http://www.vanmetrehomes.com/