Drive2Detect with Riverview Health

Riverview Health’s inaugural Drive2Detect event is coming next month to increase colon cancer awareness and raise funds for colon cancer detection and post-diagnosis support. The event will take place from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, May 17 at the Motor District Garage Condos, 1 Motor District Circle, Westfield.

The Reporter spoke to Riverview Health CEO Dave Hyatt about the event, how you can attend, and how buying a ticket or being a sponsor can help save lives.

Hyatt

“Early detection is crucial in the fight against colon cancer,” Hyatt said. “Through events like Drive2Detect, we can provide essential screenings and support to those who need it most. What a unique way to honor John Andretti’s legacy with the CheckIt4Andretti Foundation to make a meaningful impact in our community.”

In recent years, Riverview has seen a shortage of gastrointestinal physician availability. Sometimes it could take three to six months for patients to get appointments for a regular screening colonoscopy.

Not only is Riverview addressing that shortage, but this event aims to raise community awareness about the importance of colon cancer screenings and to provide money to pay for those screenings for patients who otherwise could not afford them.

“We’re building a dedicated GI Center at our Westfield Hospital. Now we’ve recruited three – potentially four – GI docs so we can expand that access, and we’re going to have a dedicated GI Center at our Westfield hospital,” Hyatt said. “We’re in the process of this and I started meeting with Jarrett [Andretti]. He told me about this foundation that they started. He and his mom and his dad, prior to his passing, started the CheckIt4Andretti Foundation to really promote colon cancer awareness and provide resources for folks to get that screening because the earlier you detect cancer the better your outcomes are. It’s about saving lives.”

The Drive2Detect event will showcase exotic vehicles, feature local celebrity emcees Kristi Lee of The Bob and Tom Show, Scot Pollard, former Pacer and Grand Marshal of this year’s 500 Festival Parade, and Fox 59 anchor Lindy Thackston. Raffle and auction items will include luxury items, high-end experiences and motor sports memorabilia.

“CheckIt4Andretti is thrilled to continue our partnership with Riverview Health in this way,” CheckIt4Andretti President & Director Nancy Andretti said. “We are continuing to raise awareness for colon health while providing the community with an unforgettable night.”

Local businesses and organizations have been pitching in to make this event successful. Hyatt said he is grateful for the support of the Westfield Chamber of Commerce, to the many volunteers, and to both Chiba and St. Elmo’s for getting on board.

Just as The Reporter is Hamilton County’s hometown newspaper, so is Riverview Hamilton County’s hometown hospital.

“The care that we provide at Riverview has to be good enough for my family or it’s not good enough for yours,” Hyatt said. “And this new GI Center in Westfield is just an example of that because Hamilton County’s in growth mode, and we feel like it’s our job to make sure that the residents in the communities that we serve have access to the best care, and we can provide that at Riverview Health.”

For more information about Drive2Detect or to purchase event tickets, please visit Drive2Detect.com.