FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sarah Turner
443-325-0778
sturner@mddccua.org
Spectacular Credit Union Cherry Blossom Run a Success
Over $920‚000 to be Donated to Children’s Miracle Network
WASHINGTON‚ D.C.‚ April 12‚ 2010 — The 38th Running of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run® took place on Sunday‚ April 11‚ with over 15‚000 runners competing in the world-class sporting event on a glorious‚ sunny day around the monuments of DC. Credit unions have sponsored the Run for nine years to benefit Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) affiliated hospitals. Over $4 million has been donated to CMN over those years. This year’s donation is $923‚000‚ and counting‚ exceeding expectations in a tough economy.
“Thanks to the tremendous support of our lead partner‚ PSCU Financial Services‚ once again‚ we can donate as much as we do to Children’s Miracle Network affiliated a hospitals across the country‚” said Juri Valdov‚ Chairman of the title sponsor group‚ Credit Union Miracle Day‚ Inc. “PSCU Financial Services underwrites the costs of the sponsorship enabling 100% of the funds from credit unions and associated partners to go directly to children’s hospitals.”
The kick-off press conference and first sponsor appreciation luncheon on Friday‚ April 9 at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington‚ DC‚ featured Miss America Caressa Cameron and Horace Holmes of ABC 7/WJLA TV‚ who interacted with the kids during a craft hour. Marathon legends Joan Benoit Samuelson and Bill Rodgers also gave remarks. Samuelson broke an age record for women in Sunday’s Run.
Over 7‚000 of the runners are credit union members. Thirty-four credit union teams entered the CU Cup Challenge. VIP athletes in the Run included DC Mayor Adrian Fenty and Andrews FCU President/CEO Chris McDonald.
For the first time‚ there was a live video streaming of the start and finish line action on two websites: www.cucherryblossomrun.org and www.cherryblossom.org. Also‚ there was a simultaneous “satellite” race at Camp Eggers‚ Kabul‚ Afghanistan.
The race will be broadcast on Saturday‚ April 17‚ at 11:30 a.m. on ABC7/WJLA TV‚ and again on Sunday‚ April 18 at 1 p.m. on NewsChannel 8.
This year‚ 40 Members of Congress were Honorary Race Chairs and over 600 Hill runners participated.
Credit unions also compete in a fundraising challenge which ends April 30.
Children’s Miracle Network is an alliance of premier children’s hospitals across North America which treat 17 million critically ill children annually‚ regardless of their ability to pay. The Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run‚ known as the Runners Rite of Spring®‚ also serves as the RRCA National 10-Mile Championship.
Credit Union Miracle Day‚ Inc.‚ is the title sponsor group of the Run. Seventy credit unions from 16 states‚ and 25 business partners have joined together to sponsor the event. PSCU Financial Services is the Lead Partner‚ CUNA Mutual Group is a National Business Partner‚ and First Technology CU is the largest credit union donor. For more information‚ visit www.cucherryblossomrun.org.
Based in St. Petersburg‚ Florida‚ PSCU Financial Services is the nation’s largest credit union service organization (CUSO) and serves more than 1‚500 financial institutions nationwide. As a non-profit cooperative‚ the company is owned by more than 640 member credit unions representing over 14 million accounts and 1 million online bill payment subscribers. Its Contact Centers handle more than 17.4 million inquiries a year. For more information‚ visit www.pscufs.com.
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