Annual Tailgate Party Goes Virtual to Support Children's of Alabama Critical Care Transport Program

BIRMINGHAM (July 14, 2020) — Members of Rotary International District 6860 have drawn up a new playbook for their annual Boiling N’ Bragging college football tailgate party to support the Children’s of Alabama Critical Care Transport with a virtual fundraiser.

The Critical Care Transport program at the state’s only freestanding pediatric hospital was established in 1983. This team of highly trained registered nurses and respiratory therapists transports nearly 1,000 critically ill and injured children to the hospital each year by helicopter, jet and ambulance.

To contribute to Rotary’s fundraising effort, beginning on Wednesday, July 15, visit https://boilingnbragging.org/fund-a-need. The fundraising campaign runs through Oct. 1.

“The work of the Critical Care Transport team helps save the lives of ill and injured children all over the state. Our mission continues despite the challenges we all face during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are thankful for the past and continued support from the generous members of Rotary International District 6860,” said Jason Peterson, RN, transport coordinator for Children’s of Alabama.

The committee hopes that funds raised through this virtual event will provide technology and safety upgrades for the air and ground units, including:

• Cooling units to provide therapy for critically ill babies during transport
• IV pumps
• New flight suits and helmets for the helicopter crew with updated comfort, safety, visual and hearing technology
• Portable UV lights to sanitize all transport units

“While much of our country has been effectively shut down or stalled during the COVID-19 pandemic, Children’s of Alabama has kept its doors open to care for the ill and injured children who need it most,” said Ted Burns, Boiling N’ Bragging steering committee. “Our members want to provide financial support to make sure this important work can carry on, even during an economic and global health crisis.”

Since 1911, Children’s of Alabama has provided specialized medical care for ill and injured children. Ranked among the best pediatric medical centers in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, Children’s provided care for youngsters from every county in Alabama and 42 other states, representing more than 684,000 outpatient visits and more than 15,000 inpatient admissions. With more than 3.5 million square feet, it is one of the largest pediatric medical facilities in the United States. Children’s offers inpatient and outpatient services across its Russell Campus on Birmingham’s historic Southside with additional specialty services provided at Children’s South, Children’s on 3rd and in Huntsville and Montgomery. Primary care is provided at more than a dozen medical offices in communities across central Alabama. Children’s of Alabama is the only medical center in Alabama dedicated solely to the care and treatment of children. It is a private, not-for-profit medical center that serves as the teaching hospital for the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) pediatric medicine, surgery, psychiatry, research and residency programs. The medical staff consists of UAB faculty and Children’s of Alabama’s full-time physicians as well as private practicing community physicians.