Interview with National Walk from Obesity 2020 Fundraising Champion
by Paul Enochs, MD
Bariatric Times. 2020;17(12):13
The Walk from Obesity is synonymous with members of a local community coming together to raise funds and awareness for the cause of obesity treatment and prevention. However, with a global pandemic ensuing, walking side by side in a local park simply wasn’t possible.
The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) Foundation pivoted and launched the inaugural virtual Walk from Obesity and named it National Walk from Obesity Day. This special event provided an opportunity for many local communities to come together as one national community on September 26, 2020. Participants raised awareness and supported the event’s cause by asking for donations leading up to Walk Day and then by sharing pictures and videos of their walk (or other activity) on social media, using the hashtag #NationalWFODay. Funds raised will support a special research grant being commissioned regarding obesity/COVID-19 research and access to care initiatives of the ASMBS.
The National Walk from Obesity Day exceeded all expectations in attracting over 1,200 participants, comprising over 73 Walk teams nationwide in support of the mission of the ASMBS Foundation! Our top fundraising team declared the National Walk from Obesity Fundraising Champions was team #NutritionDirect, led by team captain, Jim Bradley. On Oct. 29, ASMBS Foundation President, Paul Enochs, MD, presented the Gold Cup Trophy to Jim, on behalf of his team. Dr. Enochs sat down with Jim to ask him about his team and the support from Nutrition Direct™.
Dr. Enochs: Hi, Jim. First, we want to thank you and team #NutritionDirect for your passionate hard work and support of the National Walk from Obesity Day. As a valued National Sponsor of the Walk from Obesity, Nutrition Direct™ committed to supporting the National Walk from Obesity Day in forming a Walk/Fundraising team. Tell us what went into making the decision to support this exciting inaugural event.
Jim Bradley: This was an easy decision for our Senior Director of Marketing, Ted Lawson, our National Sales Director, Jeff Day, our National Bariatric Manager, Matt Jason, and me, as we know the importance of this initiative for our customers. Here at Endo, we truly value each opportunity to support the “cause” of what the Walk from Obesity is really about.
Dr. Enochs: Your team is named after a product that your company offers. What exactly is Nutrition Direct™ and who can benefit from it? How do they get it?
Jim Bradley: Nutrition Direct™ is a 30-day supply of nutritional supplements, recommended for people who have had weight loss surgery, delivered each month in one simple package and formulated to meet the specific ASMBS Guidelines.1
Dr. Enochs: Nutrition and following recommended guidelines are important to everyone’s health! Nutrition Direct™ has been participating as a local sponsor and is now a National Sponsor for 2020 and 2021. Tell us why Nutrition Direct™ decided to support this exciting initiative to the extent and passion that you have.
Jim Bradley: Since the launch of Nutrition Direct™ in 2015, over 420,000 home deliveries have been made. With that being said, we know that there is more to be done. As I mentioned before, it wasn’t a difficult decision to make, as we know that industry partners need to support the cause of the Walk from Obesity, and that is what we are aiming to do with this sponsorship.
Dr. Enochs: As the National Walk from Obesity Day Fundraising Champions, you were awarded the Gold Cup Trophy on behalf of your team. Where do you plan to keep the trophy? And how has Nutrition Direct™ benefited from the partnership created with the ASMBS Foundation?
Jim Bradley: The trophy is secured in my home office in New Jersey. We will share it with the entire #NutritionDirect Team at our National Sales Meeting in March. It is something that I know the team is really proud of, as we truly value the efforts by all on such a well-run event! As far as benefits, our goal was to support the foundation and continue to share our message for appropriate patients. That was (and always will be) the goal of our support of events like the Walk from Obesity.
Dr. Enochs: Once again, thank you and Nutrition Direct™ for your continued support. The ASMBS Foundation looks forward to building upon our partnership in 2021. Is there anything else you would like to add for our readers about Nutrition Direct™ and your support of the Walk from Obesity?
Jim Bradley: It was a pleasure to support this great cause. I truly enjoyed working with you, as well as Michael Votta and Randy Slade from the foundation, on executing a great event. We look to continue our partnership for 2021 and beyond! For more information on Nutrition Direct™, please visit our website at NutritionDirect.com.
References
- Parrott J, Frank L, Rabena R, et al. ASMBS Integrated Health Nutritional Guidelines for the Surgical Weight Loss Patient – 2016 Update: Micronutrients. Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2017;13(5):727–741.
Category: ASMBS Foundation News and Update, Past Articles
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