Combined Health Agencies, a nonprofit organization known as CHAD in United Way, will be recognizing 23 local businesses, celebrities, and media and medical people for their outstanding contributions to CHAD’s member health agencies this month.
The selected “2000 Health Heroes” have done more than their job in advancing the cause for a particular agency, said Jamie Tucker, president and CEO for CHAD.
Recognized businesses include Swinerton & Walberg Co., Century 21 Award, San Diego County Credit Union, Wells Fargo Private Banking, and the San Diego Fire Fighters Local No. 145.
Swinerton & Walberg’s business development manager, Christopher Day, 46, went not one extra mile , but 21 extra miles , swimming across the ocean to Catalina Island to raise $28,200 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and American Parkinson’s Disease Association.
San Diego’s Fire Fighters Local No. 145 donated countless off-duty hours, raising more than $150,000 in support of the Burn Institute, CHAD reported.
The San Diego County Credit Union has been a major sponsor for the Multiple Sclerosis Society’s “MS Walk” for the past three years, CHAD reported.
In the media category, the American Heart Association gave a heads up to KFMB Channel 8 for their coverage of heart disease issues.
Joe Bauer of KFMB 760-AM radio will be honored for his work as “team ambassador” for the Alzheimer’s Association.
Bill Griffith, KGTV-Channel 10, has supported the Arthritis Foundation since the mid-1990s, serving among others as a celebrity host and participant for the organization.
Uptown Publications won kudos for providing free advertising for Stepping Stone of San Diego Inc., supporting physical and mental health issues.
Akili Smith, who attended high school in San Diego and is a quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals, won honors for his work on behalf of the Sickle Cell Disease Association.
Outstanding medical professionals in the community include Dr. Susan Little, selected by the Being Alive San Diego organization for her HIV research at UCSD; Dr. Kevin Murray at Kaiser Permanente for helping improve the lives of people suffering from lung disease by the American Lung Association; Dr. Alice Yu of UCSD, selected by the Epilepsy Foundation for developing a new seizure treatment; Karenlee Robinson, an independent consultant for the Mental Health Association; Nancy Simonis for supporting the Hemophilia Association; Dr. Daniel Vicario for encouraging cancer patients to join The Wellness Community, San Diego; Dr. Doris Howell, selected by the San Diego Hospice; Katherine Rainsford Calvo, selected by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society; and Dr. Roland Blantz, selected by the National Kidney Foundation.
All honorees will be recognized at a reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. April 5 at the Wyndham Emerald Plaza Hotel.
