Take a look inside the 2022 Bone and Joint Center Patient Reunion
On Saturday, May 7th, the AMD3 Foundation, Operation Walk Pittsburgh and UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital Bone and Joint Center hosted the bi-annual Patient Reunion at Heinz Field. This decades-long tradition gives patients, their families, and the care team the opportunity to be reunited to celebrate their mobility. This year’s reunion was Kentucky Derby-themed, and the UPMC Club was filled with red roses, Derby hats, mint juleps, volunteers, patients, and guests who were excited to be together again. . This event has traditionally been a fundraiser for Operation Walk Pittsburgh’s annual mission trips to Central America. There were 460 guests in attendance and over $60,000 was raised for Operation Walk Pittsburgh’s 2022 Mission. We are grateful for the generosity of past patients, who help to walk it forward to give the gift of mobility to those around the world.
This event was designed to bring together patients who have received a joint replacement for an opportunity to connect with their care team, meet, and re-connect with other people who have been on a similar journey. Anyone who has received a joint replacement surgery knows firsthand that it is a life-changing surgery. It was inspiring to see patients up on their feet enjoying the afternoon of activities.
In keeping with the Kentucky Derby theme, there was an afternoon of simulated Night at the Races horse race betting, which allowed guests to place fake bets on their favorite horses. We also had a photo booth, caricature artists, and basket raffles. We had over 40 raffle baskets filled with donated items from over 30 local businesses, care team members, and partners in Guatemala. Some favorites included the Steelers Cam Heyward signed mini helmet, a basket filled with gifts from Guatemala including a jade bracelet, and a frame filled with twenty lotto tickets.
We are grateful to our volunteers and sponsors who helped make this event a reality and success! We are already looking forward to our next Patient Reunion in 2024!
We are still fundraising!Operation Walk Pittsburgh hopes to change the lives of sixty patients this fall in Guatemala by providing them with total joint replacements and subsequent care.To provide this care will cost more than $500,000. If you would like to donate, visit here.
