March 6, 2007
UW Medical Center enters second year as title sponsor of Seattle Marathon
The University of Washington Medical Center is the title sponsor of the 2007 Seattle Marathon, with proceeds to benefit the UW Medical Center Patient and Family Housing Fund. The fund provides local and affordable housing for transplant patients, their families, and others who travel long distances for specialized medical care.
The University of Washington Medical Center Seattle Marathon 2007, Half Marathon Run, Marathon Walk and Half Marathon Walk will be held on Sunday, November 25, 2007. The UW Medical Center Seattle Kids Marathon 2007 will be held Saturday, November 24.
To learn more about the Seattle Marathon, or to sign up to run, walk or volunteer, visit www.seattlemarathon.org.
“We are delighted to have such a prominent local sponsor for the second consecutive year,” said John Kokes, president of the Seattle Marathon Association Board.
For the past six years, UW Medical Center has sponsored Team Transplant, a group of UWMC transplant recipients, faculty physicians, staff, family and friends, who have participated in the Seattle Marathon. More than 180 members of Team Transplant, including 30 liver, kidney and heart recipients, participated in the 2006 event. The team was founded and is coached by Alysun Deckert, a UWMC dietitian and past Olympic trials qualifier.
“Sponsoring the Seattle Marathon is part of our community commitment and also fits well with our strong belief in supporting a healthy lifestyle,” said Lisa Brandenburg, interim executive director of UW Medical Center. “When faced with the need for specialized medical care, patients and their families often must travel great distances to Seattle and stay for extended periods of time. This year, by designating the UW Medical Center Patient and Family Housing Fund as the beneficiary, we have a wonderful opportunity to help transplant patients, their families, and others find local and affordable housing when they need it most,” Brandenburg said.
In addition, this year UW physicians and staff will provide medical care to Seattle Marathon participants on the racecourse, at the finish line, and at the Victory Recovery Area at the Seattle Center during the UWMC Seattle Marathon 2007.
UW Medical Center, founded in 1959, has been a leader in organ transplantation in the Northwest for nearly 40 years. The first kidney transplant in the region took place at UWMC in 1968, the first heart transplant in 1985, and the first liver transplant in 1990. It is the only medical center in Western Washington to perform adult heart, liver and lung transplants. UWMC is ranked 10th in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, and many of its clinical programs rank in the top 20 nationally.
The Seattle Marathon was founded in 1970. More than 11,000 individuals participated in the running and walking events last year, and more than 45,000 people passed through the Seattle Marathon Health and Fitness Expo in the two days leading up to the main event on Sunday morning. The geographical reach of the Seattle Marathon continues to grow year after year as well, with 47 states and 10 nations represented at the 2006 event.
The Seattle Marathon Family of Events has risen to become one of the largest and most influential mass-participation runs on the West Coast, and is ranked by Runners World Magazine as one of the top 20 marathons in the United States.
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