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Medical Center of McKinney Donates Space for MADD

From news release:

July 5, 2006 - (McKinney, TX) - Medical Center of McKinney and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) are pleased to announce a grand opening of the newly expanded MADD McKinney Office, June 29, 2006. 

"Since partnering with MADD in 2004, we have seen a further need to expand MADD's presence in the community.  We are glad to be able to contribute this additional office space," said Ernest Lynch, III, CEO of Medical Center of McKinney. "Our hospital sees the effect drunk driving has on victims and loved ones and we are proud to support an important resource that is much needed in the community. We feel this is an extension of our mission for the health and well-being of the citizens we serve.  We're glad that you're here."

In April 2004, Medical Center of McKinney's Wysong Campus began donating office space to MADD at $1 a year cost for rent for a Community Resource Center, which MADD agreed to stock with materials and distribute to community groups as needed. "We were so pleased to have this presence in McKinney," said Mary Kardell, Executive Director of the MADD-Metroplex Chapter. "The materials that MADD develops for schools and community groups needed to be distributed to all who could utilize them. We needed to get word out to everyone who would listen. We all deserve to be safe from drunk drivers."

The initial decision to expand to Collin County was made as the number of alcohol-related deaths in Collin County continues to rise.  In 2002 alone, there were twice as many alcohol-related deaths in Collin County as in 2000.   The decision to move offices to McKinney in 2006, rather than just supporting a resource center, is due to the rapid growth taking place in McKinney.  Says Mary Kardell, "We want to go to where the need and people are to keep our roadways safe, and fulfill our mission, to stop drink driving, support victims of this crime and prevent underage drinking."  MADD-Metroplex Chapter currently serves 31 North Texas counties.

The MADD McKinney Office, located at Medical Center of McKinney's Wysong Campus, 120 S. Central Expressway, Suite 108, will serve as a valuable resource for educators, law enforcement, hospital, funeral home personnel, clergy, victims and concerned citizens. The center supports one full-time victim service specialist, Linda Jeffries, and houses educational and public awareness materials, videos, posters, interactive media and related information to aid in the effort to stop drunk driving in Collin County and surrounding communities. 

During the openhouse event, local community leaders, John Roach, District Attorney for Collin County, and Doug Kowalski, Chief of Police for McKinney Police Department also spoke on the importance of MADD resources in the area.  Says John Roach, "The county attorney's office has a long, difficult history of battling DWI's.  We are on your side and we're glad you're on our side."  Adds Chief Kowalski, "MADD is a powerful grassroots movement.  We are happy to have you here, in McKinney to help intervene and prevent drunk driving incidents." Also in attendance were medical center administration, various community associations, MADD representatives, and victims and families of victims affected by drunk drivers. 

Founded in 1980, MADD is a non-profit organization with approximately 600 affiliates and 2 million members and supporters nationwide, MADD's mission is to stop drunk driving, support the victims of the violent crime and prevent underage drinking, For more information, visit www.madd.org or call 214-637-0372.   The MADD McKinney Office can be reached at 214-585-4616.

Medical Center of McKinney is a full service acute care hospital with over 200 patient beds and two campuses in McKinney.  Medical Center of McKinney now offers a full service cardiology program including over 90 successful open heart surgeries.  The medical center staffs over 700 employees and is the 5th largest employer in the area.   Medical Center of McKinney is affiliated with HCA - North Texas Division, which encompasses 11 hospitals in the North Texas area.  For more information on Medical Center of McKinney, call 972-547-8000 or visit www.medicalcenterofmckinney.com .