Harford Community College and Upper Chesapeake Health Join Together for Adam Thompson 5K Run/Walk and Scholarships

From the Harford Community College Foundation:

History will be in the making in Bel Air the morning of Sunday, April 22. The First Annual Adam Thompson 5K Run/Walk brings together the Harford Community College Foundation and The Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation, partnering for the first time on an event that will benefit each institution and the communities they serve.

The passing of Adam Thompson, son of Roy and Pat Thompson of Street, in a car accident last April was the catalyst.

Adam was a first-year student at Harford Community College, pursuing business and general studies classes. He died on April 12, 2011, in a car accident, not far from his home.

“We wanted to keep Adam’s memory alive,” explained Mrs. Thompson, who has been a nursing instructor at Harford Community College for the past five years in addition to being a valued team member at Upper Chesapeake Health for the last 27 years.

After Adam’s passing, a nursing scholarship in his memory was established at Harford Community College. The Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation also expressed interest in naming a scholarship opportunity in Adam’s memory that would be awarded to an Upper Chesapeake Health team member wanting to pursue nursing education at Harford Community College.

Finding ways to fund the scholarships sent Mrs. Thompson, currently director of the behavioral health unit at Harford Memorial Hospital, on a mission.

She attended the Third Annual Heather L. Hurd 5K Walk/Run at Harford Community College last November. The Hurd race was established by Heather’s family after her passing to raise funds for book scholarships for HCC students. Mrs. Thompson was impressed by the Hurd race and how Heather’s memory lives on today through scholarships in her name.

After seeing for herself what could be done, Mrs. Thompson reached out to the Harford Community College Foundation and The Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation for their guidance to see if a race in Adam’s memory could be organized and used as a source of funding for the scholarships.

In five short months, Mrs. Thompson and her family organized the race from scratch. Prizes will be awarded for the top three men and women finishers as well as for the first to cross the finish line in various age categories: 19 and under; 20-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59 and 60 and over.

Also on hand at the race will be the IronBirds’ Ferrous and Upper Chesapeake Health’s HealthLink to provide blood pressure screenings.

“Upper Chesapeake and Harford Community College have been wonderful, and my family and I want to give back by helping others go back to school and realize the dream of becoming a nurse,” Mrs. Thompson said. “We know Adam’s life was cut short, and this race and the scholarships will celebrate Adam’s life by giving educational opportunities to others.”

All proceeds from the race will be used toward nursing scholarships. The Adam Thompson Memorial Nursing Scholarship, established last fall and valued at $1,000 per year, is awarded to a first-year student who has been accepted into Harford Community College’s nursing program. In fall 2012, Upper Chesapeake will award the Adam Thompson Memorial Education Scholarship at Upper Chesapeake Health to a team member who wants to pursue additional nursing education at Harford Community College. The value of this scholarship will be determined based on the amount of funds raised through this event.

While this race is the first time the foundations of both organizations are working together formally, both have been supportive of the other over the years. In addition to establishing three scholarships at the College in honor of the medical staff, Upper Chesapeake Health has also sponsored the Anatomy and Physiology Lab in the College’s Aberdeen Hall. The hospital’s support provides the latest technology and equipment for students to use in a lab setting.

“Working together on this race is a natural fit for the College’s Foundation and The Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation,” said Chuck Boyle, chair of the Harford Community College Foundation. “The College’s Foundation assists HCC in providing the best possible education to students by enhancing the quality of teaching and learning. The nursing scholarships in Adam’s memory will help us continue to provide excellent educational opportunities to our students.”

Ken Ferrara, vice president and executive director of The Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation, agrees. “Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation is pleased to partner with Harford Community College on the Adam Thompson 5K Run/Walk. The Foundation looks forward to awarding The Adam Thompson Memorial Education Scholarship at Upper Chesapeake Health to an Upper Chesapeake Health team member, allowing them to further pursue a career in nursing or healthcare.”

Sponsors of the race include Freedom Federal Credit Union, Senator Barry Glassman, Dr. Kevin Lynch, Drs. Roger and Melissa Schneider, Harford Endoscopy Associates, Olivia’s Consignment, Phil and Carol Anderson, Dudley and Laura Campbell, Hickory Chance Beef, Clearwater Pool and Spa, Aramark, Dr. David Dunn, Upper Chesapeake Emergency Medicine Physicians and John Lizewski -The Petting Zoo, Inc. Those interested in sponsoring the race should visit www.harford.edu/adam.

The race takes place Sunday, April 22, at 8 a.m. on a USA Track and Field Certified Course at Harford Community College. Race day registration opens at 7 a.m. at Edgewood Hall. Those registering in advance may also pick up registration packets on Friday, April 20, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Harford Memorial Hospital and on Saturday, April 21, from noon to 4 p.m. at Upper Chesapeake Medical Center. Cost to participate is $20 in advance and $25 on race day. For more information, visit www.harford.edu/adam or call 443-412-2428.