When sports chiropractors first appeared at the Olympic Games in the 1980s, it was alongside individual athletes who had experienced the benefits of chiropractic care in their training and recovery processes at home. Fast forward to Paris 2024, where chiropractic care was available in the polyclinic for all athletes, and the attitude has now evolved to recognize that “every athlete deserves access to sports chiropractic."
Have-A-Heart 2008: Your Chance to Help
Oklahaven Children's Chiropractic Center is sponsoring its annual "Have-A-Heart" campaign to increase public awareness of the benefits of chiropractic care for children. This year, doctors of chiropractic can participate by conducting in-office campaigns the week of Valentine's Day (Feb. 9-16).
Founded in 1962, Oklahaven works with severely disabled children, including those with asthma, autism or paralysis, and also provides a support group for parents of patients. The annual "Have-A-Heart" campaign began in 1998 when a young chiropractor wanted to help raise money for the center. He went to a mall, asked for donations and displayed paper hearts with each donor's name. Dr. Angie Welikala (a Cleveland Chiropractic College West student at the time) took the idea to the chiropractic colleges, and the campaign began to grow.
If you are interested in participating in the 2008 "Have-A-Heart" campaign, contact Oklahaven (oklahaven@flash.net or www.chiropractic4kids.com) to receive an 11-minute DVD to share with your patients; pamphlets about Oklahaven; and colorful hearts with each donor's name that can be displayed in your waiting room, front desk or elsewhere.
The DVD educates patients about the benefits of chiropractic care for children and shares success stories of the more severely challenged children treated at Oklahaven. Show the DVD to patients and then ask them to sponsor a heart by giving a monetary gift and writing their name on a paper heart to be displayed. Keep a record of who donates and the amount they donate, and then send Oklahaven all donations collected and a final report detailing the success of your individual in-office campaign. The center will personally thank all donors.