Having Fun, Making a Difference
Have you ever wondered about the connection between the events you support
and the programs they fund? Here are a few examples of how the community’s
participation and financial support benefit key clinical areas at St. John’s Medical Center.
EVENT: RUN & RIDE FOR THE CURE
What It Supports: Oncology Patient Support Fund
Phil Leeds founded Run & Ride for The Cure in 1999 in support of local
cancer patients who had to travel for care. He wanted to make sure that
community members had a resource to help pay for costs not covered by
insurance, such as gas, lodging, and groceries. Even as the Oncology Department
at St. John’s has grown, the Run & Ride has continued to support
the Oncology Patient Fund. Over the last 17 years, the fund has brought
peace of mind to thousands of community members treated at St. John’s.
EVENT: STEVE WINOGRAD MEMORIAL DIABETES TENNIS TOURNAMENT
What It Supports: Diabetes Education
Fifteen years ago, tennis pro Eddie Kolsky founded the Steve Winograd Memorial
Diabetes Tennis Tournament in memory of his friend Steve Winograd, who
died of diabetic complications. Thanks to the funds raised by the tournament,
the St. John’s Diabetes Self-Management Program reaches hundreds
of people annually and provides everything from free test strips to support
groups to funding for local children with type 1 diabetes to attend camp.
Every dollar raised supports community members with diabetes. Kolsky says
of St. John’s, “They use the money the right way, and they
help a lot of local people here and in adjacent counties.”
EVENT: SHIRLEY’S HEART RUN
What It Supports: Cardiac Care

After losing her mother to a heart attack, Alison Kyle Keffer knew she
wanted to do something to give back. “My mom always did everything
for everyone else, and I wanted to find a way to keep her name and spirit
alive.” Attracting 150 participants each year, Shirley’s Heart
Run is the perfect way to unite the town and honor a beloved mother while
promoting heart-healthy habits and saving lives. Funds go toward heart-related
programs such as the hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) screening clinics
happening this fall.