Heartstrings 2014

Date: May 25, 2014 1:00 PM

About

About:

History

Heartstrings started in 2003 out of concern for the uninsured patients in Buncombe County and the high cost of medication. Wanting to find a way to help patients who could not afford to purchase medications, Kacy Black, a local Spinning® instructor, worked with the Buncombe County Medical Society (now the Western Carolina Medical Society) to create a day-long indoor exercise bicycle event to raise money for Project Access™.

When the Heartstrings founder left to pursue other charitable interests, the participants stepped down from the bikes, yet kept up the momentum that had been built over seven successful years. In 2014 Heartstrings will be held at the Mountain Sports Festival and will be a Family Fun Challenge

Family teams of two to six participants, ages 5 & up, will have the chance to try six fun fitness challenges:

Fun Noodle Javelin Throw

Frisbee Golf

An Obstacle Course

Dress Up Clothes Relay

Stocking Soccer

A 3-Legged Race

Every family will receive a stamp on their passport each time they complete a challenge. Once the passport is completed, the families will head to the finish line and receive a medal and family photo.

Why Project Access® Matters

WCMS Project Access® is a coordinated system of charity care provided to the low-income uninsured people of Buncombe County through the donation of services by 500+ Western Carolina Medical Society physicians, Mission Hospital and supplies through Advanced Home Care. In addition, area pharmacies waive part of their charges and professionals such as interpreters and chiropractors donate their services.

A primary goal of the Affordable Care Act was to help the 17% uninsured and eligible in North Carolina gain access to quality, affordable healthcare. Unfortunately, there are thousands of Buncombe County residents who are too poor (fall 100% below the FPL) to qualify for the Affordable Care Act. And because North Carolina did not expand Medicaid to cover 100% of low income adults, there is an even greater need for WCMS's groundbreaking Project Access® program which provides quality health care from a network of physicians who donate their time, resources and expertise without reimbursement to help more than 3,000 individuals per year.

Project Access provides a critical safety net to thousands of Buncombe County residents who are not able to afford the critical healthcare they need. These residents are your friends, your neighbors and your co-workers.

Meeting the Need

Since 1996, when Project Access® began, Buncombe County Commissioners have been the primary funding partners for administrative and medication assistance for Project Access. The ongoing annual allocations from the County go a long way in funding Project Access. However, as the number of uninsured in our community increases, so does the need for more services. HeartStrings is one of the ways we work to meet these growing needs.

The Heartstrings 2014 Planning Committee

Very special thanks go out to our Planning Committee members:

Mike Peterson- Committee Chair, Asheville Radiology Associates
Kata Bates, Twang Creative
David Hart, Paragon Financial
Alex Diez, Volunteer
Emilee Dickerson, WCMS Development Council
Austin Walker, Whitney Commerical Real Estate
Jess McCuan, The Scene
Melissa Pennscott, Johnson Price Sprinkle
Janet Oppenheimer, Blossman Gas
Anna Smathers, First Citizens
Grant Osborne, Ward and Smith
Emma Tax, Twang Creative Intern
Bill Smith, TD Bank
Johanna Stebbins, ResCare Home Care
Ashley Woodring, Parsec Financial
Spencer Fountain, WCMS Development Council
Julia Lockamy, WCMS

Event Details

When & Where:

Sunday, May 25th 2014
1:00pm - 4:00pm
The Mountain Sports Festival at Carrier Park
Asheville, NC

Participants:

Family teams of 2 – 6 participants. Ages 5 & up

Cost:

With a minimum donation of $5, the Heartstrings Family Friendly Challenge at the Mountain Sports Festival is a super fun and affordable way for families to spend Memorial Day Sunday. Most importantly, it's a great way for the community to help Project Access® patients get the healthcare they need.