Find Your Thing at the Get Fit Festival, Support Special Olympics World Games 2015

Kaiser Permanente Southern California welcomes back its annual Get Fit Festival at the Kaiser Permanente Irvine Medical Center on September 21, 2014. The festival begins at 7 a.m. with the kick-off of a six-person 50-mile team relay, shortly followed by a 30-mile bike tour and 25-mile team relay. In addition, the festival will feature a non-competitive 5K with proceeds benefiting Special Olympics World Games 2015 and fitness demonstrations for those of all ages.

“Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of our employees, members, and the communities we serve,” said Benjamin K. Chu, MD, MPH, MACP, group president for Kaiser Permanente Southern California and Hawaii. “Each year the Get Fit Festival is an opportunity to do just that.”

The Get Fit Festival – in its third year – will encourage participants to “Find Your Thing,” and choose from a variety of fitness activities, all aimed at promoting a healthier lifestyle. There will also be a Kids Zone and vendors onsite featuring exercise demonstrations and healthy eating options.

Adults and children also are invited to participate in the festival’s Thrive 5K Fun Run / Walk. All Thrive 5K registration proceeds will benefit the Special Olympics World Games 2015. Kaiser Permanente is proud to be a founding champion and Total Health sponsor of the Special Olympics World Games 2015 – the largest sporting event in the world in 2015.

“We are so happy to raise money for the Special Olympics athletes at our Get Fit Festival,” said Edward Ellison, MD, executive medical director, Southern California Permanente Medical Group. “Many of these athletes don’t have the financial means to make the trip to the games and rely on Special Olympics and their supporters to make it a reality.”

Special Olympics athletes who participate in the World Games receive vision, hearing and physical exams, made possible by Special Olympics through charitable, tax-deductible donations. For some, this is the first time in their lives they are provided with glasses, hearing aids and shoes that fit.

“Often the athletes return to their home country heroes to others with intellectual disabilities, inspiring them to get involved in athletic competition and the Special Olympics program,” added Dr. Ellison.

The Thrive 5K Fun Run / Walk takes those of all ages along the scenic San Diego Creek Trail. It is non-competitive and open to all skill levels. The event begins and ends at Thrive Village on the campus of the Kaiser Permanente Irvine Medical Center. Registration is required and open until the start of the event.

“The Get Fit Festival truly has something for everyone,” said Andrew Gallardo, CPT-NASM, director of fitness, Kaiser Permanente Southern California. “From the Kids Zone to yoga to distance running, we want you to find your thing!”

ABOUT KAISER PERMANENTE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, our mission is to provide high quality, affordable health care services to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve more than 3.7 million members in Southern California. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. For more information, go to: www.kp.org/share.