Event Description

In previous years, Michigan State University (MSU) College of Human Medicine (CHM) Flint campus students have held the Flintstone Challenge, a 5K geared toward raising funds for the Flint Classroom Support Fund. COVID and national attention given to systemic racism in our nation created a shift in focus as current MSU CHM Flint medical students have turned their sights to developing a new 5K: The Do No Harm 5K. The death of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia, coupled with the death of thousands of people from underserved communities in the Flint and Detroit areas due to COVID-19 has provided an avenue for activism for students and community members through the Do No Harm 5K. 

Do No Harm 5K seeks to continue to push for universal support for the needs of marginalized communities and perhaps even show that supporting the needs of one community, actually creates pathways to better health and humanity in others. This year, the focus of our inaugural walk will be on Black lives lost, Black trauma, and Black mental health. To this end, proceeds from the 2021 Do No Harm 5k Race will go to Flint Odyssey House, which provides client-centered substance abuse and mental health treatment for adults and families. We seek to provide pathways to continued education on the needs of Black communities and continue to remind people that those needs are basic needs, vital to the success of any human life.