SAN FRANCISCO – Look around at the next black-tie fundraiser for your hospital. See any children?

Dr. Ronald Marino, director of general pediatrics at Winthrop-University Hospital, Mineola, N.Y., saw only adults at hospital benefit events. He realized that involving children in supporting his department could be a win-win-win for the participants, the patients, and the community.

He picked one of his passions – swimming – as a focus for a new event and launched an annual swim-a-thon that has raised more than &dollar;120,000 over the past 9 years. The funds benefit the hospital's Child Life Program, which gives pediatric patients the opportunity to talk at length with hospital physicians and staff about the tests and procedures they're facing in an effort to dispel some of their fears.

The money is a small part of the benefits produced by the swim-a-thon, he said.

The children who help organize and participate in the event learn ways to become involved in their community. They gain leadership and planning skills, get public speaking experience as they promote the event, and learn about health care careers from their adult co-organizers. In addition, the children design the event logo and are involved in creating publicity materials, gaining practical experience. Dr. Marino said he has seen boosts to the children's pride and self-esteem, and the focus on swimming promotes their health and well-being.

A month or so after the day of swimming, an awards celebration for all who were involved features public recognition for participants, food, music, and a clown or superhero entertainer, followed by a tour of the hospital and its pediatric services.

“Kids really love seeing what nurseries look like, what the pediatric wards look like. They love seeing where their money goes,” Dr. Marino said.

The event also has inspired some of the hospital's doctors, nurses, and staff to support children's health and development outside of the clinical setting. One of the nurse participants this year decided to mentor a child with Down syndrome separately from the swim-a-thon, to teach the child how to swim.

Swimming itself is a great equalizer, Dr. Marino added. Some children with disabilities that severely limit their motion on land become more graceful in the pool. “So often in our society we're separated from people with disabilities,” he noted.

Plus, because the usual signs of socioeconomic status are left in the locker room when swimmers shed their clothing for swimsuits, “it demonstrates that we're all the same,” Dr. Marino said. In addition to getting 95 swimmers to take part this year, targeted outreach to the community has drawn people of all ages and races to participate in many different roles.

The swim-a-thon has attracted community support from corporations, lifeguards, swim coaches, bands that play during the event, raffle donors, the medical school's pediatrics club, and many volunteers who contribute in their own ways. One teenager who didn't swim made a slideshow to promote the swim-a-thon. Another nonswimmer started his own nonprofit organization to auction off sports memorabilia and donate the proceeds to charity, including the hospital.

Swimmers are grouped in four categories by age, ranging from 4 years to more than 60 years of age. The minimal expenses of the event – for towels, pool rental, and some promotion – keep overhead low. Swimmers pay a small fee varying by age (from &dollar;3 to &dollar;10).

Physicians who want to start a similar event in their communities should pick one of their own passions as a focus, Dr. Marino advised: “For me, it was children, swimming, and community service. I put them all together.” Try to make it a grassroots effort. Cast a wide net for organizers and participants, and build relationships in the process, he said. Start small, and be patient. “You'll find that it just takes off on its own once it gets going.”

Events like the swim-a-thon help realize several aspects of the five key promises that our society should give to its children, Dr. Marino said – caring adults, safe places, a healthy start, an effective education, and opportunities to help others.

“Empowering kids strengthens our communities and ensures a brighter future,” he said.

Dr. Marino said he had no pertinent conflicts of interest.

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Cast a wide net for organizers and participants. 'You'll find that it just takes off on its own once it gets going.'

Source DR. MARINO

Hospital staff Christian Burdick and Nicole Almeida, with a medical school volunteer (right), help run the swim-a-thon.

Richard Obiol and his sons Jack and Justin participated in the swim-a-thon to raise funds for the Child Life Program.

Source Photos courtesy Anne Lucas

Children Help Themselves by Helping Others