WCVB-TV Channel 5 Meteorologist Danielle Vollmar Joins Spaulding Rehab Marathon Team
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT:
Tim Sullivan, Communications and Media Relations
Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
(617) 952 5325 (Office), (617) 501-5985 (Cell)
tsullivan11@partners.org
Karen Fisher
Media Relations Specialist
WCVB-TV Boston
Phone: 781-433-4771
Cell: 617-593-9496
KFisher@hearst.com
Boston, MA – Spaulding, a leader in rehabilitative care and research, has added StormTeam 5 Meteorologist Danielle Vollmar to the roster of its 2014 Spaulding Rehab Marathon Team. For ten years, Spaulding has fielded its “Race for Rehab” team to raise critical dollars to support its programs. Last year’s team consisted of 27 runners – and due to its central role in the rehabilitation and aid to those affected in last year’s Marathon bombings, this year’s team has dramatically grown to almost 100 runners.
As the premiere running event in the world, the Boston Marathon has served as a tremendous source of pride for the Boston region. The Marathon has also served as an important fund raising platform for many charities. The events of last year impacted the region in a profound way, much of it found where the charities and survivors intersect. For the patients, staff and families connected to the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital that impact was especially unique with 32 survivors over many months at the Charlestown facility recovering from burns, limb-loss and other blast related trauma.
“I moved to Boston just two weeks after the tragic events at last year’s Marathon and was so moved by how the city of Boston rallied together in a show of unbelievable strength and compassion,” said Vollmar. “I recently had a chance to tour the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and was so impressed by the amazing work the hospital provides to its patients – especially those recovering from injuries resulting from last April’s bombings. Although I am a runner, I have never been inspired to run a full marathon – until now. I jumped at the chance to join Spaulding’s team, and am so excited to help raise money for this great cause,” continued Vollmar.
Over the next two months, Danielle and her fellow team members will be training and fundraising. To date the team has raised over $175,000, already well past previous years. Spaulding’s programs include Stroke, Burn Injury, Amputee, Spinal Cord Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury and Pediatric Rehabilitation. Also through specialty programs such as Adaptive Sports, Spaulding clinicians work to help people find ways to achieve the highest quality of life possible regardless of ability. The funds raised this year by the team will be used to support the 5th floor Comprehensive Rehabilitation Program at Spaulding in honor of the care that was provided to the survivors of the Boston Marathon bombings.
“As a runner myself and member of the team, I know the dedication and work it takes to commit to run Boston and the reward of doing it for an important cause,” said David Storto, President, Spaulding Rehabilitation. “To have the involvement of great community partners such as WCVB and have Danielle on our team will allow us to achieve unprecedented results that will greatly benefit the communities we serve.”
To learn more about Danielle and support her and the entire Spaulding Race for Rehab visit spauldingrehab.org/raceforrehab
About the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
Founded in 1971, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston is one of the largest rehabilitation facilities in the United States, and is ranked the 5th top rehabilitation hospital in the country by U.S. News & World Report. As the official teaching hospital of the Harvard Medical School Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), Spaulding is at the forefront of research in advances in rehabilitative care. On April 27, 2013, Spaulding opened a new 132-bed facility in Charlestown which is national model for environmental and inclusive design. With a wide range of inpatient programs and 23 outpatient centers throughout Eastern Massachusetts, Spaulding strives to continually update and improve its programs to offer patients the latest, high-quality care through its leading, expert providers. Spaulding has been awarded a Model Systems designation in three specialty areas- Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury and Brain Injury Rehabilitation- by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research. For more information, please visit www.spauldingrehab.org