Fourth Annual Walk With The Docs fundraiser Saturday

Area residents can pay tribute to their favorite physician and help raise money for a worthy cause Saturday when the Fourth Annual Walk With The Docs takes place in Hartsville.

The event, a major fund-raiser for the Free Medical Clinic of Darlington County, takes place at 10 a.m. Walkers will assemble in front of Davidson Hall on the campus of Coker College. Participants will walk down Carolina Avenue to Tenth Street, cross over to College Avenue and proceed back to the college.

The walk is an event for individuals, families and businesses to support the Free Clinic and honor their favorite doctor.

Tickets to participate in the walk are $20 for adults and $10 for children and students. The event will feature T-shirts, balloons and a band.

Participants will walk in honor of their favorite doctor or health care professional.

“This is a family event,“ said Kathy Baxley, executive director of the Free Medical Clinic of Darlington County. “Bring your kids, strollers, wagons, bring your pets on a leash,“ she said.

Last year’s walk raised $8,800 for the clinic, which operates offices in Hartsville and Darlington. In its first three years, the walk has raised about $20,800 for the clinic.

Baxley said the money raised by the walk will be needed this year more than ever because of the poor economy.

Baxley said clinic staff and physicians have seen a noticeable increase in the number of people seeking medical care from the clinic, many of them laid off from their jobs and without health care insurance.

“Most of our new patients are on unemployment. They’re looking for work, and they have no health insurance,“ Baxley said.

The two clinics together saw 2,600 physician/ patient encounters in 2008, according to Baxley, with 227 new patients coming into the two clinic offices during the year.
The free clinic first opened its doors in Darlington nine years ago. The Hartsville office has been open for three years.

More than 30 physicians and nurse practitioners volunteer their time to serve patients at the clinic. Volunteers also provide support for the clinic.

The free clinic provides health care to people who are without health insurance or who do not qualify for Medicare or Medicaid. “It’s the ones who fall through the cracks,“ Baxley said.

Sponsors for this year’s walk include founding sponsor Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center, Sonoco, Darlington Personal Service - Lifeline Hilex-Poly and The Messenger.

The Hartsville High School Marching Band percussion unit will lead the march, according to Baxley. Tim and Amy Cotten of Lakeview Baptist Church will sing before the walk.

Free sno-cones will be provided and free ice water by Agape Hospice, according to Baxley. Walkers can carry helium balloons with the name of the doctor they are honoring on them. T-shirts will be provided as available, she said. Golf carts will also be available for those who wish to participate but are unable to walk and for VIPs, Baxley said.
Along the way, walkers will have a chance to stop at the Hartsville office of the clinic and get some refreshments.

For more information, call either clinic office at 332-0422 or 398-0060.

Registration information is also available at either clinic office, the Greater Hartsville Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Darlington Chamber of Commerce and at sponsors’ offices.