SEBASTIAN — Four thousand ducks converged on the Indian River Lagoon outside of Captain Hiram’s Resort on Sunday, bobbing along a stretch of water in a fierce competition of speed. These were, in fact, bright yellow rubber ducks that happened to be within yards of a few real-deal brown pelicans, racing in the inaugural Great Duck Derby.
Excitement swelled among spectators who had “adopted” the ducks – each one designated a number – to benefit the Women’s Healthcare Safety Net Fund. The ducks made their way along a course framed with floating booms that channeled into a tube where the winning duck emerged. Momentum was provided by a few waders softly jabbing the water with paddles.
The duck that won made its sponsor the recipient of $2,500.
Ahead of the race, supporters paid $5 per duck online and at various Seacoast National Bank branches in Indian River and Brevard counties, Captain Hiram’s, and other locations.
Light and whimsical as the duck derby was on Sunday, the purpose behind it all was serious – raising money for the Treasure Coast Community Health Foundation, a 501(c)3, and philanthropic arm of Treasure Coast Community Health.
TCCH is a not-for-profit that provides fully integrated healthcare services including medical, dental, behavioral healthcare, and pharmaceuticals to nearly 17,000 Indian River County patients – approximately 12 percent of the county’s population.
The estimated $30,000 raised from the duck sponsorships and donations will pay for women’s health needs including screening mammograms, diagnostic mammograms, breast ultrasounds, needle biopsies, and PAP smears at its Vero Beach and Fellsmere locations.
“It helps takes some of the burden off of women,” said Dr. Robert Rappel, health attorney and chairman of the board for TCCH and its foundation. “It’s a great opportunity to serve the community here with this program.”
As a non-profit federally-qualified community health center founded in 1995, its focus is on meeting the medical, dental and mental health needs of non-insured and under-insured people in the community.
Over the last few months, the fund for women’s health programs has provided screening mammograms to 103 people, and diagnosed five with breast cancer, according to the organization. None of the patients previously knew they had cancer or had the resources to be tested.
“Many of our patients are the working poor, servers in restaurants and landscapers,” explained Steve Dorrance, executive director of the foundation. “Many of them simply don’t have health insurance.”
Melinda Smith was on hand to show her support for women and to watch how her 12 adopted ducks fared.
“Many women care about their health and can’t always afford to seek proper care,” she said. “It’s a very difficult situation for them.”
One such person was a friend of Jim Anderson, who adopted four ducks in a show of support.
“I lost a very dear friend to breast cancer who didn’t have the benefit of a clinic like this one that offers women’s health care,” Anderson said. “If she had had this center to go to, she would probably still be alive.”
Michele Knight, branch manager of sponsoring bank Seacoast National Bank, delighted in the turnout for what she deemed “a very important cause.”
“Women give so selflessly and do so much for people that when they are affected, so too are those who love them,” she said. “I can’t imagine not having enough money to go to the doctor. It’s scary to think people can’t afford to get a mammogram, PAP smear, or other things that can save their lives.”
