The Great Turning Wheels Bike Build!

Saturday saw the 6th Annual "Wow, I can't believe how BIG this is" event at the San Jose Convention Center...the Turning Wheels Bike Build!

You, dear avid reader of this blog, know how amazing Turning Wheels is...from the money they raise through the Death Ride, to the dedicated volunteers who make it all happen - and it all comes together in mid-December where thousands of bikes are built for underprivileged kids who might not otherwise get anything for the holidays...let alone a new bike.

Watch the Turning Wheels website for the soon-to-come complete run-down on this year's build (2400 bikes, the first-ever Great Trike Race, tons of money raised on the spot, etc. etc. etc.) But I wanted to tell you of this year's best innovation while honoring Sue Runsvold.

Yes - Sue is the Founder and Fearless Leader of Turning Wheels, who first came to me five years ago in a conversation that led to their organization joining the VMC Foundation. Since then, she's led a growing army of inspiring idealists who all have the same question on Bike Build Day: "Where's Sue? Anybody seen Sue?"

She's in constant demand, what with Channel 2 needing her for a live interview, or City Team needing a signature on something, or a donor presenting a Giant Cardboard Check...and if you've never been in the SJ Convention Center's South Hall, just imagine a cigar shaped circus tent the size of a city block.

So at any given time on Bike Build Day, there are a dozen people running around trying to find Sue Runsvold. And walkie-talkies don't work, because it's too loud and chaotic. Also, there are balloons and people and boxes and bikes everywhere. But this year, someone (I think it was Dave) got really smart. The ONLY yellow balloon in the whole place was tied to Sue's belt, on a 20-foot string!

To find Sue, just look up, and as far away as she could be, you could still see the bouncing yellow balloon. Parents, is this a great idea to keep tabs on your toddlers during the holiday shopping crunch or WHAT?

Thanks to EVERYONE, especially the Board of Turning Wheels, who never fail to achieve the impossible. Thanks to the Celeb's who competed in the Great Trike Race, except for those who beat me. Okay, everybody beat me...but that big shark in the photo up above? He totally cheated - riding a TWO-wheeler. I'm calling the league.

Bionic legs help patients walk again!

At the VMC Foundation, 2011 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting years ever. One reason is eLegs: A new technology that literally could replace the wheelchair for millions living with paraplegia.

Yes - think of it.

As profiled in TIME Magazine a week ago, this new invention by Berkeley Bionics promises a new reality for people with spinal cord injuries, stroke, MS, or any condition that has them unable to use their legs. This amazing "exoskeleton" fits over the user's legs, they stand up, and they walk.

But here's what TIME didn't specify: There is only ONE rehabilitation center in the country that will be the first to test eLegs. You guessed it: Valley Medical Center.

This fact recently captured the attention of TechCrunch's Michael Arrington, one of the nation's most respected tech gurus. He then blogged about it, we set up a Facebook Cause, and with his encouragement, the donations are coming in to support this vital program.

Please join us, and if you're looking to be a part of history, please consider donating today...years from now, we all may look back and say "I helped change the future."

From coma to community...

The avid reader of this blog knows that Valley Medical Center contains the most awesomest* brain injury rehabilitation center on this planet and many others. You now have a chance to learn why...and learn so much more.

The VMC Foundation is proud to help present the 2011 Santa Clara Valley Brain Injury Conference on Feb. 24-26. Led by VMC's fabulous Rehab Research Center Team...and you might think this is just for clinical people with long titles after their names. Well, yes and no.

Lots of cutting edge medicine will be discussed, but we'll also hear from Tricia Meili, known nationally as "The Central Park Jogger" who was beaten and left for dead in 1989. Her story of survival is about more than recovery, and will inspire any and all conference attendees.

Plus, we're holding this event at the Dolce Hayes Mansion, a beautiful conference center - read more about this amazing three-day event that will educate and amaze. Please share this information with anyone you think would be interested - and that's likely a long list.

*I read this word last night in TIME Magazine. If they can use it, so can I.

Welcome to the new Valley Health Center Milpitas!

Halloween came a day early this year for the City of Milpitas, with the Grand Opening celebration of our new Valley Health Center...and what a day it was!

Hundreds of families packed the new three-story, 60,000 square foot facility to enjoy arts and crafts, health screenings, hula hoop contests, safety classes and healthy food...none of which would have been possible without the sponsorship of Kaiser, Valley Health Plan, the Public Health Department and Allied Waste (and your very own VMC Foundation, of course).

VHC Milpitas is truly something to be proud of. The clinic offers care in pediatrics, OBGYN, family medicine, allergy clinic, the VMC Foundation-supported Pediatric Healthy Lifestyle Center, and so much more.

Perhaps the biggest hero of the day was County Supervisor Dave Cortese, whose idea it was to have a huge community party rather than a plain ol' "ribbon cutting". I got to emcee the program which included remarks by Supervisor Cortese, County CEO Dr. Jeff Smith, Milpitas Mayor Bob Livengood and Doctors Marcie Levine and Dan Delgado. Ashley Roybal from Congressman Honda's office was there to present a commendation.

Halloween should be full of surprises. At around 1pm, we were, uh, treated to one.

FIRE ALARM! Everyone exit the building!

Thing is, you pack that many kids into a new health center, and one of them is bound to double-dog-dare another to pull the red lever. Either that, or it could have been a San Jose State University Recreation/Leisure Studies major. I was one of those once, and was taught that the best time to suspend a recreational activity is at the peak of its participants' enjoyment.

Special thanks to Michael Elliott and Andy Groggel of the VMC Foundation for deftly dealing with this unexpected "challenge"...and of course to the Health Center staff. The good news is they will NEVER have to evacuate that many people from the clinic again. Ever.

I guess the moral of the story is that, when the question is "trick or treat?", sometimes the answer is "both!" Anyway, congratulations VHC Milpitas and to the community it serves!

October is EVENT month!

We're flapping our arms just as fast as we can here in VMC Foundationland, with more going on than at any other time of the year. Just two Saturdays ago was our annual Gala, a black tie affair that set the bar for all other parties to come. Thanks to Cindy and David Lazarus for opening their incredible home to us, and for all who made it such a success.

Oh, but there's so much more:

Tomorrow, 10/15, is the opening of a new medical thriller at the San Jose Repertory Theater, and each performance of "Secret Order" will also benefit the VMC Foundation. I'm always saying "I love the theater but never seem to go as often as I should". Here's our chance; get your tickets here!

This Saturday 10/17 is "Day on the Bay" in Alviso, a multicultural celebration presented by the VMC Foundation and Supervisor Dave Cortese...come on down for a day of family fun.

(Psst...you've probably gotten your voter guides by now too...remember: YES on A)

Since we all eat lunch and dinner, why not make it count? Assemblyman Jim Beall has arranged for California Pizza Kitchen and BJ's Restaurant to donate 20% of your check to the VMC Foundation - but here's the catch: You have to go on Wednesday, 10/27, and you have to bring the corresponding flyer with you, which you can get here. Support Breast Cancer Awareness Month by supporting our Mammography Access Program!

The annual "Buddy Walk" takes place on Saturday, 10/23 at Lake Cunningham Park in San Jose. This is a great event produced by the Silicon Valley Down Syndrome Network and the VMC Foundation, raising awareness and community involvement for families with members who have Down Syndrome. This is a very inspiring day.

We are thrilled to announce the Grand Opening of Valley Health Center Milpitas on Saturday, 10/30, 10am-2pm. Come on down to 143 N. Main Street in Milpitas for a festival for the whole family, tours of the new clinic, health screenings, and fun. Call 408-299-5030 for more info. Thanks again to Supervisor Cortese for co-presenting this event.

And for you golfers, there MIGHT be a spot or two left in the Turning Wheels Golf Tournament, sponsored and led by Strikeforce! At the exclusive San Jose Country Club, this event happens 10/25...but I'd call soon to get in: 408-391-6720.

Whew. There's probably more...and as always, you can contact us at vmcfoundation@hhs.sccgov.org for more info on ANY of these great events. See you soon!

YES on A this November...for the health of our kids!

I've been spending a great deal of my spare time (!!!) supporting the YES on A campaign, and hope you'll join me making sure we protect children's health in Santa Clara County.

But don't take my word for it - here's the most recent in a long string of VIP and media endorsements...from the local paper in "my town", The Los Gatos Weekly:

Editorial: Measure A gets universal support for Healthy Kids

It's safe to say that none among looks forward to any additional tax burden, no matter how small it might be. But it's also pretty safe to say that few among us want to see children in our community going without health care.

That's why Measure A on the Nov. 2 ballot is getting such universal support. The proposed $29 per year parcel tax will generate $13-14 million per year for 10 years to fund the "Healthy Kids" program in Santa Clara County.

According to supporters, "Measure A will fully fund the Healthy Kids program and ensure that all eligible county children have access to health insurance, including preventative health care services and early detection and treatment for such terrible illnesses as asthma or diabetes."

Whether we like it or not, county taxpayers are going to pay to provide health care for the more than 15,000 uninsured children in Santa Clara County, whether through emergency room services or through this plan for preventative care.

Families should not have to wait until their children are sick, thereby requiring emergency room services to deal with their illnesses. The "Healthy Kids" program would provide for immunizations and regular check-ups to keep children healthy and in school, and to help to prevent childhood obesity.

It's more cost effective to keep children healthy than to deal with their health issues after the fact, and certainly better for the children and their families. It's for that reason that Measure A has garnered the support of the League of Women Voters, The Health Trust, the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley, the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, the San Jose Mercury News and many more organizations.

Area hospitals are certainly in favor of the measure. El Camino Hospital, Kaiser and Valley Medical Center, along with the Santa Clara Family Health Foundation, are all supporting Measure A.

Two important points brought out by supporters of the measure are that "children enrolled in Healthy Kids reported a 50 percent decline in missed school days due to illness" and, "Once enrolled in Healthy Kids, children with a usual source of care almost doubled and children with unmet medical need dropped by more than half." Simply put, children in the program were healthier.

The County Board of Supervisors has placed Measure A on the November ballot, and it's a coalition of health, business, community and labor leaders who are joining together in universal support of the plan. The program, first launched in 2001 as the Children's Health Care Initiative, needs this funding to continue.

Voters need to consider what supporters of the county parcel tax emphasize: "Without Measure A, thousands of children in Santa Clara County will lose health coverage."

It seems like $29 per year is a small price to pay to make sure that doesn't happen.

Kids' health is key to their education...

...but don't take MY word for it!

Hey, let's be honest...you very likely already know that without access to a doctor and basic health care, children will suffer in the classroom. We've got data to prove it.

We also have yesterday's letter to the editor of the San Jose Mercury News, penned by my pal and brilliant CEO of the Silicon Valley Education Foundation. Here's what he wrote:

Measure A would help kids' learning
source: Mercury News

As president and CEO of the Silicon Valley Education Foundation, I am proud to support Santa Clara County's Measure A -- Children's Health Protection Act -- on Nov. 2. After several years working on education initiatives that promote student achievement, college and career goals and in general providing children and families a better life, I feel it is important to continue supporting quality of life needs for these families.

Families who have benefitted from the current program that provides medical, dental and vision care call it a lifesaver. It has kept children healthy and in school, with the goal of academic success and some day college and a bright future.

Children enrolled in Healthy Kids report a 50 percent decline in school absence because of illness, which is great news for all students. Children's Health Initiative school outreach has helped raise $6 million to $7 million for local school districts annually. Thus Measure A is not only a necessary act to improve the quality of health for our future Silicon Valley professionals, but it is also a program that will help further other organizations' missions, including the Silicon Valley Education Foundation.

Muhammed Chaudhry

President and CEO Silicon Valley Education Foundation