Carmine and Chance’s CTICU Charity
Chance Nadritch and Carmine D’Angelo are Registered Nurses who work at Rochester General Hospital in the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (CTICU). With no previous running experience, the two decided to start running together as a way to promote a healthier lifestyle for themselves. They decided upon achieving one goal, running and completing a Marathon.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continued its reign in 2020 and 2021, Chance and Carmine were inspired to do something bigger with their running goal. They believed it was important to dedicate their running to those who have been impacted by the pandemic, but as well as continue to shine light on a never ending battle that takes life from hundreds of thousands every year in the United States ... Heart Disease.
On June 19th in Rochester, NY both Chance and Carmine are taking their run to The Buffalo Marathon virtually. They will represent the CTICU at Rochester General Hospital in support of two organizations with hopes to raise over $2,500 for each. 100% of funds raised will go toward and help support the cause for these two organizations. The two organizations are recognized as:
HeartBrothers: a non-profit foundation dedicated to helping heart failure patients and their families navigate the complicated financial world of heart failure, LVAD’s and heart transplantation. Bob Romer and Pat Sullivan started the foundation after being hospitalized for 2 years together due to heart failure. Their mission is to offer essential support through medical insurance assistive programs, informative stress-coping resources and connections to the heart failure community.
The Sunshine Club: a CTICU Fund. Run and funded yearly by employees, the goal is to acknowledge, celebrate and honor various moments in employee lives. The donations received support the CTICU work family.
Being a nurse in the CTICU is challenging, but yet, it has its reward. Patients who have undergone cardiac procedures are at high risk for postoperative complications. It takes an ICU nurse competent in the caring practices, surgical procedures, medication administration and evaluation, expected outcomes, and management of cardiac patients to facilitate a successful transition from the ICU to Home. Most patients are critically ill and require around-the-clock attention to promote hemodynamic stability that is suitable; not forgetting to mention the suitability of advanced technological devices or specialized cardiac drip medications. Management and care for the acuity of CTICU patients can be grueling. Going home at the end of a hard fought day/night can either make you, or break you. ** With advancements in technologies, such as seen with the LVAD device that is surgically implanted to assist a heart in failure, nurses must be up to date on the ever-changing pace the cardiac intensive care unit presents. Giving 100% of ourselves to our patient is only part of a patients' story.
Financing the life-saving surgical procedures and the post-operative care process that follows can be complicated and frustrating. It requires the help beyond the specialized care of a nurse, surgeon, care tech, physical therapist, etc. Which is why an organization such as HeartBrothers is so important for those who need more to navigate and succeed beyond hospital walls.
Running this marathon is important to our heart health so we can continue to take care of yours. But this run means more than our health; it is continuing to raise awareness on heart disease, fundraising for organizations that support the patients in need and the staff by your side, and dedicating this run to those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In return for donations, we will put your local business on the back of our shirts and advertise them as much as we can to help our causes and your amazing businesses. Send us your logo and we can make this happen!
Now.. Who Is Ready To Run and Fund 26.2 Miles With Us?