Patient First in the Community

This past weekend, we had an incredible time at the 32nd Annual Barbecue Battle in Washington, D.C. Despite the heat, our first event in the nation's capital was a huge success. The Barbecue Battle, which started in 1993, has grown significantly, closing down the largest strip of downtown into early Monday morning. The event featured 150 food samples and numerous beverage samples, offering plenty of free food and drinks for attendees.

In addition to the delicious food, the two-day event hosted two stages for music and performances, as well as a thrilling Olympians and Monster BMX exhibition. The barbecue competition was fierce, with winners taking home $5,000. 

Our hand sanitizer was in high demand. Visitors from Massachusetts, Florida, Columbia, Iowa, and even Spain stopped by our booth. We were thrilled to inform them that they could visit any of our centers if they needed medical attention while in the area. We were delighted to reconnect with previous patients from our Maryland centers in Germantown, Glen Burnie, Bowie, Clinton, Waldorf, Rockville, Owings Mills, and Capitol Heights. We also met visitors from our Virginia centers in Alexandria, Manassas, Springfield, Woodbridge, and Garrisonville, who had nothing but positive feedback about their experiences.

Overall, our first event in D.C. was a resounding success, and we look forward to returning next year.

For over 120 years, the Towson Chamber of Commerce has hosted its annual 4th of July Parade in front of crowds of flag waving spectators. Just as it has for over a decade now, Patient First has been a proud sponsor of this celebration of our nation's birth!

This year 15 staffers from as near as Towson and as far as Germantown came out to represent Patient First as we waved and greeted the cheering fans lined up along the parade route. As we travelled up and down the York Road corridor, we were spurred on by the shouts of people saying how much they loved Patient First, and how we've helped them through some particularly tough times.

This year's participation matches a record for participation! We look forward to seeing how many people we can get to walk with us in 2025!

This past Saturday, Bohrer Park in Gaithersburg came alive with the vibrant spirit of SummerFest, a long standing tradition where the Gaithersburg community gathers to celebrate American Independence with friends and family. The free event ran form 6pm to 11pm, featuring live music, food trucks and kids activities, all culminating in a spectacular fireworks display and a night glow after party.

The weather was perfect for the festivities, with a beautiful sunny day and temperatures around 90F. It was wonderful to meet so many new faces, including residents from Germantown and Aspen Hill. We also the pleasure of reconnecting with previous patients from our Rockville and Germantown locations, who had nothing but praise for our front office staff. 

Our booth was a hit, especially our chip clips and hand sanitizers, which were among the most requested items. SummerFest is one of the largest and most enjoyable events in Gaithersburg, and we always look forward to being a part of it. We can't wait to return next year for more fun and community engagement.

On Friday, June 21, we had an exciting evening at Bowie Baysox stadium during their "Don't Discuss Bruno" night, inspired by the movie Encanto. Positioned right outside the first aid station, our table was a popular stop for fans, who shared wonderful feedback about our centers. Our Baseball stress balls were a big hit among the attendees.

Although the Baysox didn't win the game, the post-game fireworks brought smiles to everyone's faces and lifted the spirits of the crowd. We had a fantastic time at the stadium and can't wait to return for another event!

Historically, the Devon Horse Show & Country Fair can trace its late spring/early summer roots all the way back to 1896. It is both the oldest and largest outdoor multi-breed horse competition in the United States. Fortunately for us, it's also located directly across the street from our center on Lancaster Avenue in Devon. It's great to be a part of such a prestigious event. Over the years, it's become one of our favorite signature events of the year.

Since we opened our Devon center, we've been fortunate to develop a great relationship with the Horse Show executives and staff. We're also proud to be a "presenting sponsor" for a really fun children's event on the final day of the big event - the "Itty Bitty Hat Parade."

The Horse Show is an enormous multi-million dollar 11-day event that attracts some amazing horses from around the country and around the world. It attracts elite horsemen and women who compete and show their prize horses. It attracts more than 125,000 visitors, and is truly a huge and anticipated event each year in the community. The Country Fair element was added to the event in 1919 as the philanthropic arm for the organization. 

Each year moms and dads, grandparents, and other adults bring their children to the covered pavilion on site where we are set up with two tables. On one table, we provide complimentary blood pressure checks for adults along with our usual Patient First swag. The second table is set up catering directly to children, where we provide a coloring table complete with horse-related coloring sheets and mini-crayon boxes for the kids to enjoy. We always have a great turnout of children and families throughout the day when we're there. Fun times for sure, and we are already looking forward to our return in 2025.

As the saying goes, "Virginia is for Lovers"-or, in this case, sports lovers- as thousands flocked to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront the weekend of June 7-9 for the 30th Annual North American Sand Soccer Championships. The event, which spanned over 30 blocks, drew more than 800 teams worldwide from Central and South America, Europe, Canada, and all over the United States! Nearly 100,000 attendees spanned across the two miles of beachfront throughout the three-day event.

Patient First has participated in this event for several years now. This year, we were located just on the other side of the main stage, so we saw many of the attendees pass through. Our blood pressure screenings, Band-Aids, and hand sanitizer were particularly popular. Throughout the weekend, we heard numerous stories from those familiar with our centers both locally and from afar. Many indicated it was nice to see a familiar face on hand, especially in the event if services were needed.

This is just one of several events in which Patient First will be participating at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront throughout the summer and into the fall.

A gorgeous weekend and clear, cloudless skies provided a picture perfect setting for this year's Baltimore Fleet Week and Flyover event at Baltimore's Inner Harbor. This marked Patient First's second time participating in this biannual celebration of the U.S. Navy, with a table and tent set up on Saturday, June 15th and Sunday, June 16th.

This event drew a wide range of tourists from all over the not just the country, but the world. We spoke with people from as far away as Los Angeles, Argentina, and even one family from Germany! A large contingent of people who stopped by were from the Philadelphia region, given the fact that the Orioles were in town playing the Phillies. Nevertheless, they were still very familiar with our centers and our services, since we have centers in that region, as well. 

The event itself was quite the spectacle, with a variety of planes flying overhead throughout the day, including an F-15 fighter streaking across the sky, and even hovering over the harbor.

Our staff on both days of the event were phenomenal, and everyone had a great time. The organizers were very grateful for our sponsorship, and we certainly look forward to returning in 2026!

Patient First was a proud sponsor for Relay for Life. The event was held on Saturday, May 11th, at Independence High School in Ashburn, 23 minutes away from our Leesburg and Chantilly centers. Despite the windy and rainy weather, cancer survivors and their supporters walked the track to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

The event kicked off with a moving opening ceremony, and survivors then took to the track for their first lap. The weather conditions were challenging, but everyone remained determined to finish. After about an hour of rain, the skies cleared and a beautiful double rainbow appeared-- a fitting symbol of hope and resilience.

Everyone there showed their unwavering support for cancer survivors, and we are so glad to have been part of it!

Patient First was invited to participate at the Loudoun Latino Festival on Sunday, April 5th. This annual festival highlights the vibrant traditions of Latino culture through a lively fusion of vendors, crafters, food and live music. Despite the rainy weather, the event was a success. Our table was visible from the road, making it easy for attendees to find us. We provided free blood pressure screenings and handed out Patient First merchandise.

Attendees enjoyed a variety of traditional dishes, while local artisans proudly displayed their handcrafted goods. Intricate jewelry and vibrant textiles were also on sale. Traditional Latin music filled the venue, inviting everyone to dance and celebrate their heritage. Families enjoyed a wide range of activities, including face painting, games and crafts.

The main stage thrummed with the energy of performers, from folkloric dance troupes to singers and a band each highlighting the richness and diversity of Latino culture. Overall, we had an amazing time as this community event, and can't wait to be back next year!

The Bowie Baysox and the Binghamton Rumble Ponies weren't the only forces squaring off at Prince George's Stadium on Saturday, June 8th. The Galactic Empire battled against the Rebel Alliance, as did the First Order and the Resistance, as the Bowie Baysox hosted its annual Star Wars Night.

As part of our partnership with the Orioles' AA affiliate, our Patient First table was set up right outside our sponsored First Aid station during this, one of the team's most well-attended games of the year.

Professional cosplayers were on hand for photos with the fans, many of whom came in costumes of their own. In addition, there were Star Wars themed events in between innings featuring music, lightsaber duels, and other bits of entertainment. The night was capped off with a rousing display of fireworks, set to the orchestrations of the Star Wars saga's films.

As always, our table was well-received, with scores of former patients coming by, telling us how much they appreciate what we do for them every day of the year.

This is always one of the most fun of our outings at the Baysox stadium, and we certainly look forward to many more!