San Diego Hospice Hosts Record-Setting Inaugural 5K Walk and Fun Run Fundraiser

Melisa's Memorial 5K Walk and Fun Run had the largest number of individuals, teams, donations raised for a first-year walk in the County.

SAN DIEGO, March 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Not even the rain could dampen the spirits of participants of Melisa's Memorial 5K Walk and Fun Run, the first-ever walk fundraiser hosted by San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine on Saturday, February 6 at Liberty Station.

This fundraiser set a record for the largest first-year Walk held locally. More than 1,200 participants on 105 teams raised over $165,000 to support hospice and palliative care programs in San Diego and North County.

La Jolla Rotary was the largest single team with 52 walkers, and Team Melisa led all teams in fundraising with $14,590. Shirley Harpenau was the top fundraiser with $2,760 raised for the non-profit organization. Event photos can also be found on the organization's Facebook page http://facebook.com/sandiegohospice.

The event was the dream of Kaye and Richard Woltman, in honor of their daughter Melisa Reasner McGuire. She was a compassionate, caring person who lost her valiant battle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2002.

At the Walk's awards ceremony, Richard Woltman thanked all of the participants. "Melisa died when she was 37 years old. In her young life, she accomplished so much. That's why Kaye and I are so proud to have this event in her memory, which supports San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine."

For more information call toll free (866) 688-1600 or visit www.sdhospice.org.

San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine thanks presenting sponsors Girard Securities, Inc. and Kaye and Richard Woltman, with support from The Jack in the Box Foundation, Barney & Barney LLC, KYXY FM Radio and morning personality Kevin Dean, KFMB TV and anchor Carlo Cecchetto, Gary Kelley and The Kelley Company, Solare Restaurant, Bombay Exotic Cuisine of India, San Diego County Credit Union, Smart & Final, Sunset Press, Res Med, Spice of Life and the hundreds of devoted walkers and their supporters.

About San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine

San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine (www.sdhospice.org) is one of the 10 largest non-profit hospices in the nation. Care is provided to more than 1,000 seriously ill adults and children each day throughout San Diego and North County.

SOURCE San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine