Contact:
Linda Sessoms, President
901.488.1181
Email:
Web site:
THE 4TH ANNUAL SISTERS-IN-MOTION MEMPHIS 5KRUN/WALK 2013
MEMPHIS, TN – August 2013 - Sisters-In-Motion-Memphis (SIMM) is partnering with Christ Community Health Services (CCHS) to help raise funds to prevent infant mortality in Shelby County; and, host a festive outdoor event for the entire family.
On Saturday, September 28, 2013 at 8:30 a.m., Sisters-In-Motion-Memphiswill host its 4th Annual 5K Run/Walk and 1 Mile Family Fun Run fundraiser at Overton Park in Memphis, TN.
All proceeds from the race will benefit theChrist Community Health Services (CCHS) Women's Health Initiatives/Infant Mortality.Christ Community Health Services has focused on fulfilling the physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of the poor, the uninsured, and the homeless in Memphis since 1995.
Online registration is now open. The cost to pre-register (Through 9/19/13) is $20 per person. MRTC members pay only $18 per person to pre-register. Late registration (9/19/13-9/25/13) is $25. Race day registration is $30. The 1 Mile Family Fun Run registration is $10 for ages 4-11, and $15 for ages 12 & over.
To register for the 5k, or for more information, log on to
SIMMis agroup of African American women with a shared interest in their commitment to personal fitness, health and community wellness. Sisters-In-Motion Memphis has partnered with Christ Community Health Services (CCHS) for a fourth year to raise money and awareness about the infant mortality crisis in Memphis. In the last three years, $70,000 has been raised.
Memphis leads the nation in infant deaths with 12.7 deaths per every 1000 births, or 1.9 times the national average. Please join us as we help Christ Community address the pressing Infant Mortality crisis in our community.
Sponsorship opportunities are available. If you are interested in sponsorship, please call Linda Sessoms at 901-488-1181.
Every 43 hours a baby dies in Shelby County.
What if you could help stop it?
SISTERS-IN-MOTION
5k Run/Walk & 1 Mile Fun Run
Greetings,
Every child deserves a first birthday, but in Shelby County, not every child gets one. According to the state health department, every 43 hours a baby dies in Memphis, a rate higher than any major city in the U.S and higher than some developing countries. In the midst of these devastating numbers, two zip code tops them all—38108—where 31 out of every 1,000 babies do not survive to age one AND 38127—where 50 out of every 1,000 babies do not survive to the age of one.
Infant mortality has a number of causes from low birth weight to tobacco use during pregnancy, from maternal obesity to lack of prenatal care. Additionally, single women without a high school diploma are at greatest risk for losing their children in the first year of life. These factors and more contribute to highest infant mortality rates in the nation.
Because of a shared commitment to personal health and community wellness, Sisters-In-Motion has partnered with Christ Community Health Services (CCHS) for a fourth year to raise money and awareness about the infant mortality crisis in Memphis. The good news is the infant mortality rates in Memphis and Shelby County are coming down! However, there is still much work to do.
Sisters-In-Motion will hold its fourth annual 5K Run/Walk, Saturday, September 28, 2013 at 9:00am in Overton park, to benefit CCHS Women’s Health Center.
CCHS provides peer mentoring, health education, and medical support to help women realize the goal of a healthy, full-term pregnancy.
Your support would greatly assist with infant mortality reduction and other healthcare issues pertaining to women. Proceeds from the 5K Run/Walk will help to educate and give pre-natal care to women in need of assistance in our most vulnerable zip codes.
For more information, please contact Linda Sessoms, Sisters-in-Motion president, at , or 901-488-1181, LaVerne Bobo, race director, at , or 901-569-1198, or visit our website, To learn more about Christ Community Health Services, please visit Thank you.
Sincerely,
Linda D. Sessoms
Sisters-In-Motion is a fitness group that began when a small group of concerned African-American women decided to take charge of their lifestyles by promoting wellness. Ranging in age from 24-60 plus, this group of women stays in motion through running, jogging and walking. Membership has grown to more than 100 members from diverse professions such as educators, lawyers, healthcare professionals, financiers, entrepreneurs, news journalists, business professionals, graduate students and homemakers. Members meet weekly on Saturday mornings to run, jog, or walk in locations throughout Memphis and Shelby County and additionally, we run, jog, or walk on own our 2-3 days per week. Since its inception, members have participated in local races such as the St Jude Marathon and Race for the Cure, as well as marathons both national and international. In an effort to raise awareness, group members host seminars on nutrition and how to live a healthy and active lifestyle.
Christ Community Health Services is a Christian medical ministry, which has grown to include five health centers in the most medically underserved areas of Memphis. Started by four young doctors, CCHS has focused on fulfilling the physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of the poor, the uninsured, and the homeless since 1995. Memphis and Shelby County have been consistently named as having one the highest infant mortality rates in the United States. Annually, there are approximately 500 stillborn and infant deaths countywide.
CCHS will open a Women’s Health Center in September 2013 that will focus on providing comprehensive gynecological care to women including prenatal care, cervical and breast cancer screening, family planning, gynecological screenings and counseling. CCHS will partner with additional like-minded ministries to provide a wrap-around of social services to assist women with caring for themselves and their babies. Pre-natal care will be offered in three forms: traditional care, group prenatal care and enhanced prenatal care. Post-partum follow-up will be offered as well. There will also be pediatric are for newborn to age 3 and also an Infant Mortality Program. Emphasis will also be placed on fathers, with focus placed on parenting and fatherhood development.
Special programs to enhance the effectiveness of the above services include:
- Title X Planning Program (Club Me) – provided education, counseling and contraception to individuals of childbearing age.
- A Step Ahead Program – provides long-term reversible birth control to women of childbearing age.
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