Media
For Immediate Release: June 15, 2006
Contact: Kyle du Ford // pr@phillytri.com or 720-771-4082
PHILADELPHIA INSURANCE TRIATHLON TO AGAIN HELP SUPPORT THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
(PHILADELPHIA, PA) The Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon in Fairmount Park again has partnered with the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's (CHOP) Division of Oncology as one of its official charities for the 2006 event.
CHOP is recognized as the number one children's hospital in the country and cares for more children with cancer than any other medical facility in the United States.
"We're proud to be associated with this fine hospital," says race director Lars Beck. "Our program last year was so successful, we wanted to again be a part of raising money and awareness for all that the Children's Hospital does in our community and beyond."
CHOP's world-renowned research programs have also made important contributions to advances in the care of children with cancer. Physician-scientists at Children's Hospital are pursuing many avenues to improve survival rates for children with cancer while refining treatments to minimize side effects and thus improve the quality of life for cancer survivors.
In addition to donating proceeds and raising awareness through the race's program, racers can individually feel a sense of giving by racing on "Team CHOP" during the sprint or Olympic course of the Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon. By becoming a member at one of three fundraising levels ($250, $500, or $1,000), racers can show their support with official Team CHOP race wear and be assured that their funds are going directly to the CHOP oncology program.
Team CHOP members are also encouraged to raise money from their friends and family through additional donations by clicking on the link at PhillyTri.com under "Team CHOP."
"It's our hope that we can fight this deadly disease in children," continues Beck. "By supporting this hospital, we're not just supporting the community, we're potentially saving lives. Hopefully this is a relationship that lasts as long as the Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon."
Community slots to race the sold-out Olympic-distance triathlon on June 25, 2006 are available to triathletes who wish to raise or donate a minimum of $2,500 to CHOP.
To make a donation to the Division of Oncology at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, visit the Hospital's Foundation page and select "Oncology-Philadephia Insurance Triathlon" from the drop-down menu in the "Type of Donation" section. To learn more about the Oncology Division's programs and services, or to make a donation using another method, contact Jean Brubaker, Oncology Research Coordinator, at BrubakerJ@email.chop.edu or (215) 590-4475.
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About the Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon
The Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon was founded in 2005 and is one of the largest triathlons in the country and is held in the city's historic Fairmount Park, in and around the Schuylkill River and the Art Museum. This year's triathlons will include 3,000 athletes racing on June 24-25, 2006 in the sprint, kids or sold-out Olympic-distance, which includes some of the world's top professionals. The race will raise an estimated $1 million for the two official race charities, the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's Oncology department and the Police Athletic League of Philadelphia, and for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society through its Team In Training program. In addition to Philadelphia Insurance Companies and Accenture, sponsors to-date include: Cadence Cycling & Multisport Centers, Endless Pools, Nathan Human Propulsion Laboratories, UnitedHeatlthcare, Sorbothane Insoles, Penguin Sports Wash, AXA Financial Protection and Karr Barth Associates, Gatorade, Philadelphia Inquirer, Triathlete Magazine, Wissahickon Mountain Spring Water, Comcast, GU Sports, Great Harvest Bread Company, Winnie's Le Bus in Manayunk, Healthplex Sports Medicine Institute, Zoot Sports, REI, Savran Bensen Certified Public Accountants and Kildare's Pub in Manayunk. More information about the Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon can be found by visiting www.PhillyTri.com or by contacting pr@phillytri.com.
About The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia was founded in 1855 as the nation's first pediatric
hospital. Through its long-standing commitment to providing exceptional patient care, training new generations of pediatric healthcare professionals and pioneering major research initiatives, Children's Hospital has fostered many discoveries that have benefited children worldwide. Its pediatric research program is among the largest in the country, ranking second in National Institutes of Health funding. In addition, its unique family-centered care and public service programs have brought the 430-bed hospital recognition as a leading advocate for children and adolescents. For more information, visit
http://www.chop.edu.
