Special
Events -Second UC San Diego Fun Walk
Second UCSD Fun Walk a Major Success!
Many elements marked the success of the Second biennial UCSD Medical Center and Support Group Fun Walk.
It wasn’t just the tens of thousands of dollars that was raised for PHA and the UCSD Medical Center that marked the success of these fun walks. It wasn’t the fact that all the USCD Medical Center doctors were involved in 2005, including Drs. Lewis Rubin, Richard Channick, and Nick Kim, walking with patients hand-in-hand. Yes, it was amazing that the event organizers purchased 250 shirts and quickly ran out of them, with over 300 participants in their walk last November.
It could have been marked by the success of their opportunity drawing, with prizes like tickets to Lakers, Padres and Angels games; House of Blues Restaurant gift certificates; or $500 shopping spree gift certificates to fun boutiques in La Jolla. One could note the success based upon the event being organized so well, so seamlessly, with the assistance of a team of dedicated volunteers including: Sandee Lombardi, Christina Phuckett, Katie Kinninger, Alecia Vultaggio, Luis Santana, Johanna Van Dijk and Jeane Szwarc.
The success of the event was marked by all of these things, but also, most importantly by the heroes that emerged during the event. Judi Sepulveda, a PH patient of Dr. Rubin, who has been struggling with this disease, emerged as a hero and inspiration for all who organized and participated. Judy approached the clinic wanting to make a difference and volunteering for the event. She had a goal of raising one thousand dollars, thinking that this was a lofty goal but she would no doubt struggle to reach for her participation in the Fun Walk. Judi mailed out 175 letters to nearly all of her friends, family members and neighbors. She called, she wrote and she worked tirelessly and happily, to raise money for the community. With each major check received or milestone hit, like when she hit the 1,000 dollar mark, she would enthusiastically call the UCSD PH Center with a report.
“I just sent out letters telling everyone about the upcoming event and how excited I was to be able to ‘try’ and complete the walk and if they would be willing to sponsor me and lo and behold…the checks just kept coming in. Everyday was like Christmas,” Judi tells PHA. With a smile on her face and a pen in her hand, Judy raised over 6,500dollars. Judi’s courage in not only facing the disease but doing all that she can for her fellow patients is truly an inspiration.
The 2003 and 2005 UCSD Fun Walks Raised nearly 78,000 dollars, of which 20% went to PHA for Conference Scholarships. PHA thanks all the volunteers of the UCSD Fun Walk for their work and commitment to the PH community!
