MORE THAN 300 CHILDREN FROM BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF INDIANAPOLIS RECEIVE BICYCLES ASSEMBLED BY FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE NORTH AMERICA EMPLOYEES
Indianapolis, Ind. — March 31, 2016 — Today approximately 3,000 employees from Fresenius Medical Care North America, the nation’s leading network of dialysis facilities, assembled bicycles as part of the “All Together Better: Team Challenge” event during its 2016 Clinical Managers’ Conference at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The bikes were donated to more than 300 children, ages 6-12, from four participating chapters of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis. The event was a double-blind surprise: The children had no clue they would be receiving a bike that day until they paraded onto the stadium field; and the Fresenius Medical Care employees had no idea their team-building efforts would benefit local children until they started building the bikes.
Our mission extends beyond the doors of our dialysis centers and into the communities where we treat people living with kidney disease,” said Ron Kuerbitz, chief executive officer of Fresenius Medical Care North America, based in Waltham, Mass. “We believe children in Indianapolis, and in every community throughout the United States, can live better and more fulfilling lives when they have access to resources that promote fitness and healthy living. The sooner we can help kids get in the habit of living healthier, which includes exercise such as bike riding, the sooner we can steer them away from the path of potentially developing kidney disease and other chronic illnesses. We’re proud to give back to the city of Indianapolis through our team building challenge and donating bikes to the city’s children.”
The annual Clinical Managers’ Conference brought together Fresenius Medical Care North America employees from across the country. Conference attendees were divided into approximately 300 teams of 10 and given 45 minutes to construct bikes.
At the end of the build, the children entered Lucas Oil Stadium to join their designated teams and learned that they would each receive their very own bike. After the surprise, the bikes were inspected for quality control before they were labeled for the individual children and delivered to the appropriate Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis, where the children picked up their bikes along with a helmet and lock.
“We know it is important for children to establish good habits early in order to live long, healthy lives,” said Rick Whitten, executive director of Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis. “We’re thankful Fresenius Medical Care North America chose to partner with us for their team challenge, not only to bring a smile to our participants’ faces, but to help support our mission for healthy lifestyles.”
“We feel strongly that being effective company leaders who operate with integrity involves serving others, including employees, patients, partners and members of the community,” said Bill Valle, president, Fresenius Medical Services. “This event is a product of our ongoing commitment to being ‘serving leaders.’ We are grateful for the opportunity to meaningfully help children in the community while at the same time continuing to develop the great leaders within our organization.”
About Kidney Disease and Dialysis
According to the National Kidney Foundation, one in three American adults are at risk for developing kidney disease. The two leading causes of kidney disease are high blood pressure and diabetes. Other risk factors include family history of kidney failure, kidney stones, smoking, obesity and cardiovascular disease. Dialysis is required for those who develop end stage kidney failure, which typically represents 85 to 90 percent loss of kidney function. Dialysis is used to remove waste, salt and extra water in the body, and keep safe levels of potassium, sodium and bicarbonate in the blood and control blood pressure.
About Fresenius Medical Care North America
Fresenius Medical Care North America is the premier health care company focused on providing the highest quality care to people with renal and other chronic conditions. Through its industry-leading network of dialysis facilities, outpatient cardiac and vascular labs, and urgent care centers, as well as the country’s largest practice of hospitalist and post-acute providers, Fresenius Medical Care provides coordinated health care services at pivotal care points for hundreds of thousands of chronically ill customers throughout the continent. As the world’s largest fully integrated renal company, it offers specialty pharmacy and laboratory services, and manufactures and distributes the most comprehensive line of dialysis equipment, disposable products, and renal pharmaceuticals. For more information, visit the FMCNA website at www.fmcna.com. For information about patient services, visit www.ultracare-dialysis.com.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis
Since 1893, Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis have served the Indianapolis community. With 11 Club locations, the Clubs provide programs for over 7,400 youth in the areas of career exploration and educational enhancement, citizenship and leadership, the arts, and health and fitness. For additional information, please call (317) 920-4700 or visit us online at www.BGCINDY.org and on social media at www.facebook.com/BGCINDY and www.twitter.com/BGCINDY.
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