As part of my participation in the Columbia Threadneedle Investments Boston Triathlon on August 18th, I'm fundraising for Boston Medical Center. Every dollar I raise supports BMC’s innovative efforts to advance health equity and build a healthier Boston.

Here are a few examples:

• Economic Mobility: Health is inextricably tied to wealth. BMC created an Economic Justice Hub to offer financial coaching, pathways to jobs, free tax preparation services, and more for families.

• Food as Medicine: BMC’s hospital-based food pantry, the first-of-its-kind in the nation, distributes more than 1 million pounds of nutritious food to patients and their families each year. BMC’s Teaching Kitchen uses fresh ingredients in our healthy cooking and nutrition classes for our community.

• Urgent Health Needs: Through BMC’s BEST mental health crisis intervention program, BMC is working with the police, judicial system, and schools to ensure people get the care they need where and when they need it.