Health screenings, education at community events

Atlanta, Ga. May 18, 2010 – The Grady Health Foundation (GHF) today unveiled the ALL GOOD Ambulance to Grady Memorial Hospital employees to start the ALL GOOD Ambulance Tour. As part of the 24-week, city-wide tour, the Ambulance will make appearances at Grady Neighborhood Health Centers, community events, places of worship, festivals and malls.

“We are excited to launch the ALL GOOD Ambulance Tour,” said Lisa Borders, president of the Grady Health Foundation. “The Ambulance will make stops all over the city in the coming months. It will be an invaluable tool to raise awareness and funds for Grady, our comprehensive service lines and the eight neighborhood clinics. We will promote healthy living, provide health education and raise money in a fun way.”

The customized ALL GOOD Ambulance features flat screen televisions, a sound system, LED sign and a Wii gaming console. St. Mary’s Health System in Athens, Ga. donated the Ambulance through a grant proposal written by the GHF team. The Grady Health Foundation will fund the tour.

ALL GOOD is the Foundation’s cutting-edge, grassroots fundraising project. The ALL GOOD Ambulance will display Grady’s mGive number, the same text message fund-raising technology used by organizations to raise money after the earthquake in Haiti.

Grady supporters can text Grady to 50555 and a one-time $5 donation to Grady Hospital will be charged to their cell phone bill. GHF expects this fundraising project to be as successful as other recent projects, helping to boost Grady’s overall financial health. Grady recently announced the hospital is about $34 million in the black, an astonishing feat considering just two years ago it had a $50 million operating deficit.

ALL GOOD ambassadors will encourage participation in Wii sports games, hula-hoop contests and other fun activities. The Grady Health Foundation is finalizing DJ and celebrity appearances at certain stops.

The ALL GOOD Ambulance Tour will appear at over 100 events and is expected to provide health promotion materials and education to over 100,000 people, resulting in an estimated 10,000 follow up visits to the Grady Health System.

“Make sure to look for the ALL GOOD Ambulance in the coming months. Please stop by, pick up healthcare information, play a Wii game and educate yourself about the services Grady provides,” said Borders.

The ALL GOOD Ambulance will make its public debut May 19 at “Wednesday WindDown” at Centennial Olympic Park.