On Thursday, the Pike Medical Foundation 2018 Balloon Release will be held at Trojan Terrance at Veterans Memorial Stadium at the beginning of the Trojan Walk leading up to the Trojan/Georgia State football game at 6:30 p.m. Estimated time for the balloon release is 4 p.m.

Karen Herring, Pike Medical Foundation community liaison, said the annual Balloon Release is a fundraiser for Foundation projects that benefit Troy Regional Medical Center. Funds raised through the 2018 Pike Medical Balloon Release will support the TRMC Cancer Center.

“The 2018 Balloon Release is on track to raise $50,000 and that is a strong indication of the community support for the TRMC Cancer Center,” Herring said. “Sponsorship for each balloon is $100 and sponsorships will be available until launch time. The sponsored balloon found the greatest distance from Troy would receive $1,000. Sponsorships are available by calling 334-670-5487.

Herring said the Pike Medical Foundation has a storied history of support for the Troy community hospital dating back to its incorporation in1987.

The Pike Medical Foundation was founded on the silver from old x-ray film that had been stored in boxes.

From that silver, coins were minted and sold as part of the fundraiser that provided seed money for the foundation, Herring said.

“Funds also came from private donations and from the financial community but the silver coins provided tangible and lasting reminders of the commitment that was made to provide outstanding medical services to the Troy and Pike County communities,” Herring said.

The then city-owned hospital has changed hands several times. However, it was not until a group of physicians bought the hospital and demonstrated faith in the facility and in local support that it became a true community hospital, Herring said.

Since 1987, the Pike Medical Foundation has been a contributing part of the community health system in Troy and Pike County.

“The PMF served the local community until Troy Regional Medical Center was sold to Community Health Systems,” Herring said. “The Foundation became active again in 2013 when TRMC was given back to the City of Troy. At that time hospital funds were limited and the members of the Foundation felt the need to raise money for equipment for TRMC.”

The Foundation, with its 16-member board of directors, is now working in conjunction with Troy University and several on-campus student organizations for development of community awareness and fundraising efforts.

Since 2013, PMF has provided funds to TRMC from the Silver Supper that raised $22,500 for sleep chairs for patients’ rooms, an ICU patient bed and a Bovie machine used in surgery and from the 2014 Balloon Release that raised 24,300 for renovations in the Emergency Department waiting area and the Radiology Department to enhance patient flow and the comfort of family members.

Herring said in 2014, a Restrict Grant received $40,300 for annual spending of $5,000 each year at the discretion of the foundation board.

The Balloon Release in 2015 raised $32,000 and was used for the renovation of emergency department patient rooms. The release in 2016 netted $28,300, however, the renovation of patient rooms project was put on hold and the funds were transferred to the 2017 Cancer Center Project. The Balloon Release that year raised $49,000 and $90,000 was donated for the Troy Regional Cancer Center building project.