Exercisers at Galter LifeCenter, Chicago’s premier medical fitness center located on the city’s north side, helped to raise money for Swedish Covenant Hospital’s Helping Hands Fund. For the month of December, members were asked to log the number of miles they racked up on specially marked “Holiday Equipment.” Galter LifeCenter donated $1 for every mile logged to the Helping Hands Fund, which provides free medications to individuals who can’t afford them.

“There’s a subset of patients who are uninsured, or who have insurance that doesn’t cover medications. They may be upfront about the fact that they can’t afford medications, or they may return with symptoms that have gotten worse because they haven’t been able to fill their prescriptions,” says Dr. Bruce McNulty, medical director of the emergency department at Swedish Covenant Hospital. “We have a limited number of dollars, and the donation from Galter LifeCenter will be enough to help us continue the program for another six or eight months.”

Since its inception about a year ago, the Helping Hands fund has helped approximately 50 people access important medications, such as antibiotics and pain relievers—medications that may prevent their conditions from worsening or requiring long-term hospitalization, says Dr. McNulty.

The month-long fundraiser at Galter LifeCenter, which is located on the corner of Foster and Francisco Avenues in Chicago, fostered a sense of community and friendly competition among the staff and members, who enjoyed being able to give to those in need, while staying healthy during the holidays.

"What a way to give back," says Budlong Woods resident Mary Diamantakos, who has been a Galter LifeCenter member for approximately five years. "Not only are you exercising, but you're also giving back to someone who needs help."

To find out how you can donate to the Helping Hands Fund, please contact Olivia Serrano at 773-878-8200, ext. 5121 or visit SwedishCovenantFoundation.org/donate.

For more information about Galter LifeCenter, visit GalterLifeCenter.org. 

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 About Swedish Covenant Hospital

Swedish Covenant Hospital excels in safety, the best possible outcomes and a positive patient experience by providing expert care and unmatched health and wellness services in state-of-the-art facilities. The hospital has received an “A” hospital safety grade five consecutive times from The Leapfrog Group. The city’s leading independent, nonprofit hospital focuses on the biological, psychological, social and spiritual elements of healing, resulting in compassionate, reliable patient care. By creating affiliations with other health care organizations in the city, including a cancer care affiliation with Rush University Medical Center and a pediatric affiliation with Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Swedish Covenant Hospital has helped to expand access to quality health care for residents of Chicago’s north and northwest sides. Across all service lines, Swedish Covenant Hospital brings world-class technology to patients.

About Galter LifeCenter

Galter LifeCenter is Chicago’s premier medical fitness center and a proud member of the Medical Fitness Association. Its services go far beyond those of a traditional fitness center by focusing on medical fitness and partnering with health professionals at Swedish Covenant Hospital. Galter LifeCenter’s professional staff, clean and safe environment, health risk screening procedures and clinical integration allow members to safely set and reach their health and fitness goals.