Over 8,000 people have signed a petition attempting to prevent Chapel Hill-based UNC Hospitals from renaming the “N.C. Children’s Specialty Clinic” to the “Krispy Kreme Challenge Children’s Specialty Clinic,” according to WNCN.
The Krispy Creme Challenge, a charity race, was founded in 2006. Since its inception, it has raised $1 million for the children’s clinic, and hopes to raise $1 million more by 2020.
The online petition was started by Margo Wootan, D.Sc., director of nutrition policy at the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Science in the Public Interest. “When [kids] see Krispy Kreme Challenge on the letterhead, on signage, around a health clinic, they’re going to be pretty surprised and think of the doughnut and wonder why there’s this connection between a health clinic and a food that undermines people’s health,” said Dr. Wootan.
UNC said the name change is about the race and not the Krispy Kreme company.
“We are closely monitoring the response to the petition and talking with our donors,” said Leslie Nelson, executive director of N.C. Children’s Promise, UNC Children’s. “I can’t speculate as to whether or not it will lead to a name change though.”
More news and analysis:
Injured deer walks into Strong Memorial Hospital’s ER
Week in review: 7 biggest healthcare stories this week
Hillary Clinton: Trust military probe, wait on independent investigation for Afghan hospital bombing
