Volvo Ocean Race – Team Alvimedica supports heart health

by Team Alvimedica on 18 Apr 2015 Volvo Ocean Race – The funds raised through the online auction will support heart health in Rhode Island with the auction funds benefiting Hasbro Children’s Hospital and Newport Hospital, along with the Rhode Island Chapter of the American Heart Association.

“We are proud to be able to give back to heart health in each of the local stopover communities where the Volvo Ocean Race takes us,” said Team Alvimedica skipper Charlie Enright of Bristol, R.I. “Clearly, to be able to raise funds for Lifespan and the American Heart Association in our home state of Rhode Island is important for us. We are looking forward to visiting both Hasbro Children’s Hospital and Newport Hospital as part of this charity initiative during the stopover.”

Bidding is currently open on seven Pro-Am Race spots and the “Jump Seat,” two separate once-in-a-lifetime experiences on board Team Alvimedica. The auction winners will be part of Team Alvimedica as they compete in Newport next month. Bids can be made now here. Team Alvimedica has raised nearly $65,000 to date for pediatric heart health charities since the Volvo Ocean Race started from Spain in October.

Sailing fans have the chance to bid on bringing their own team of up to six people to join the Team Alvimedica race crew on one of the Pro-Am Races in the stopover. The inshore races precede the leg start and offer sailing fans the rare opportunity to actually be involved in crew maneuvers with the professional race team as they compete against the Volvo Ocean Race fleet. Bids can be placed on the team’s website.

“We could not be more grateful for Team Alvimedica’s support and commitment to impacting heart health for our youngest patients across the Lifespan system,” said Timothy J. Babineau, MD, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lifespan. “The lucky winners of these amazing experiences will not only gain the memory of a lifetime, but also the satisfaction of knowing they’ve helped to make a difference in the lives of others.”

“The American Heart Association is thrilled to have the support of Team Alvimedica. Heart disease and stroke remain the leading health threats to Americans. The dollars contributed will be invested in cutting-edge research, education and advocacy to build a healthier community here in Rhode Island,” said Michelle Karn, Communications Director at the American Heart Association in Southern New England.

The “Jump Seat” experience involves departing the dock with the race crew and being on board for the initial racing before the fleet leaves the stopover port. In Newport, the fleet sets out May 17 for a 2,800 nautical mile leg to Lisbon, Portugal, across the Atlantic Ocean. The initial part of the leg is sailed inshore with each of the Volvo Ocean Race teams having a “Jump Seat” guest on board. The “Jump Seat” riders experience the exhilarating moments of the start before leaping overboard at a safe moment in the race. The “Jumpers” are then retrieved by a tender boat and brought safely back to shore.

For the details of this exciting auction opportunity and to support children experiencing heart health challenges, visit the Team Alvimedica website. Bidding closes May 5 for the Pro-Am spots and May 8 for the “Jump Seat.”

Team Alvimedica is the youngest entry in the Volvo Ocean Race 2014-2015, the world’s toughest and longest sporting event. The crew is led by American skipper Charlie Enright, 30, of Bristol, Rhode Island. Alvimedica, the European-based medical devices company, is the team’s owner. Founded in 2007, Alvimedica is a fast-growing challenger in the global field of interventional cardiology, committed to developing minimally-invasive technologies. This is the team’s first entry in the extremely challenging 39,000-mile race that began October 11, 2014 from Alicante, Spain and features stopovers in 11 ports around the world.

About Hasbro Children’s Hospital
Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence, R.I., a part of the Lifespan health care system, is the premier pediatric facility for clinical care, research and education for Rhode Island and surrounding southeastern New England. A private, not-for-profit institution, it is the pediatric division of Rhode Island Hospital. Rhode Island Hospital is the principal teaching hospital of The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, through which the department of pediatrics brings in $23 million in external research funding annually. Hasbro Children’s Hospital is designated as a Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons (ACS). The hospital’s “All for One” commitment devotes all of its knowledge, experience, and passion for healing to each child in its care. For more information, visit website, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, or Pin with us on Pinterest.

About Newport Hospital
Newport Hospital was founded in 1873 and is Newport County’s only acute care hospital. Located on Powel Avenue in Newport, it is a community hospital with a broad spectrum of health services, including an emergency department, an award-winning birthing center, a behavioral health unit, surgical services, a renowned rehabilitation division, and a full array of outpatient services. Newport Hospital holds Magnet designation for excellence in nursing care. The hospital became a partner in the Lifespan health system in 1997. Follow us on Facebook and on Twitter @NewportHospital.

About the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association
The American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association are devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke – the two leading causes of death in the world. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The American Heart Association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. The American Stroke Association is a division of the American Heart Association. To learn more or to get involved, visit website. Connect locally with us on Facebook and Twitter.