Run Across Georgia to help benefit MercyMed of Columbus

COLUMBUS, GA (WTVM) - A nonprofit organization helping children who are sick is getting assistance from a statewide running event.

MercyMed of Columbus is two blocks away from Fox Elementary School which has had some major issues with absentees due to illnesses. The faith-based healthcare organization set up at the school three times a week with a physician's assistant and nurse practitioner.

Part of the funds raised for next week's Run Across Georgia will go to MercyMed at Fox Elementary to help students get prescriptions and help with conditions such as strep throat and head lice.

"We wanted to put a clinic in the school so we could address those acute care and urgent care issues fast. That way kids can stay in school longer, get health care addressed, and reduce all the barriers to accessing health care," says Billy Holbrook, MercyMed's director of development.

Last year, MercyMed had 14,000 patient visits.

For more information on how you can support Run Across Georgia and donate to Team News Flash, which includes several WTVM employees, click here.

MercyMed of Columbus is focused on reducing barriers to health care in our area. Get more information about the organization by visiting http://www.mercymedcolumbus.com/.

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