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October 16, 2009

Pella resident runs to remember, raises funds for Hospice of Central Iowa

You may have noticed local resident Debbie Kissinger out running down Broadway and Hazel streets this summer and fall. Kissinger has been training for the IMT Des Moines Marathon, which takes place Sunday, Oct. 18 in Des Moines. What you may not know is that she is running for a cause close to her heart.

Following the deaths of family members in 2007, Kissinger began volunteering for Hospice of Central Iowa, and became an employee shortly thereafter. In May, she took her passion of hospice care to a new level with months of sacrifice and training. She is participating in Run to Remember, National Hospice Foundation’s (NHF) race training and fundraising program dedicated to advancing the cause of hospice care.

“I have wanted to run a marathon since I was in my 20s but hadn’t found the motivation to get me going—until now,” Kissinger says. “During my 26.2 mile run I will wear the names of my mother, my father in-law and sister in-law, all who passed away in 2007. I’m also running in memory of all patients served by Hospice of Central Iowa.”

As this goes to print, Kissinger has collected 31 names of loved ones to remember, on a list that she will carry with her on race day to keep her going. Her goal is 50.

Run to Remember supports athletes—from beginning walkers to elite runners—through weekly e-mails with training schedules and tips. While training, participants create personal fundraising pages to e-mail friends and family to support their efforts. Half the net proceeds raised will go to Hospice of Central Iowa (a non-profit organization) and half to NHF.

“It is extraordinary when people like Debbie work so hard to raise funds in support of a local hospice program,” said Stuart Lazarus, founder and national director of Run to Remember. “Run to Remember is responsible for tremendous support of hospice care in communities throughout the country. And, it all depends on efforts like Debbie’s.”

While most hospice services are covered by Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance plans, funds raised by Debbie will help provide end-of-life care to patients and their families who would not otherwise be able to afford it. In addition to patient and family assistance, through gifts to its Foundation, Hospice of Central Iowa is able to enhance quality of life and fulfill wishes to families in need.

With two big cuts currently facing the hospice system—a regulatory cut proposed last year and the projected health care reform reductions—funds raised by efforts like Kissinger’s are more important than ever. This is particularly so for those living in rural areas, where hospice care is most expensive to deliver. The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) estimates the combination will represent a loss of more than $10 billion to hospices across the nation over the next decade.

J. Donald Schumacher, President & CEO of NHPCO and NHF, says, “This program is so vital—it helps raise money for initiatives that we can carry out at the national level and also provides funds for local hospice care. And most important—it provides people with an incredible way to honor the memory of their loved ones.”

To support Debbie, visit her Web site: www.active.com/donate/runtoremember2009/dkissin. Donations will be accepted through November 18, a month following race day.

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