Staff Members Race – and Raise Funds – for Physicians for Peace

NORFOLK, VA (11/19/2010)(readMedia)-- A team of Physicians for Peace (PFP) staff members recently pulled a long weekend for work – voluntarily – when they ran the Outer Banks 8K and half-marathon on Nov. 13 and 14. Four PFP staff members and two PFP supporters fundraised and trained for several months before the races. While some team members were experienced runners, others, including Mary Kwasniewski, senior director of Global Health Programs, were new to the sport – and the challenges of a long race.

"I'm extremely proud of how much our runners and walkers accomplished through this fundraiser," said Brig. Gen. Ron Sconyers (USAF, Ret.), president and chief executive officer of Physicians for Peace. "Physicians for Peace has always been an organization driven by the commitment of its communities of volunteers and supporters, and the fact that our staff members gave of their own time to train and fundraise speaks volumes about their commitment to our organization."

Combined, the PFP team raised about $7,500 – enough to send three physical therapists on two-week missions to Haiti in 2011. The 8K and half-marathon fundraisers also demonstrated the high level of commitment PFP healthcare volunteers: many of the funds raised came directly from PFP's volunteer community of doctors, surgeons, therapists and nurses.

Individuals, groups and businesses can help support PFP missions in 2011 and beyond. For information on fundraising opportunities that support Physicians for Peace, please contact Ellen Libby, elibby@physiciansforpeace.org, (757) 625-7569.

ABOUT PHYSICIANS FOR PEACE

Physicians for Peace is an international non-profit organization that mobilizes volunteer healthcare professionals to assist developing nations with unmet medical needs and scarce resources. Through effective, hands-on medical education and training, clinical care and donated medical supplies, Physicians for Peace develops long-term, sustainable, replicable, and evidence-based programs to help partner nations build medical capability and capacity to help themselves. Since 1989, volunteers for the 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization have conducted medical missions in more than 60 countries. With its headquarters in Norfolk, Va., Physicians for Peace has programs in 22 countries and offices in the Philippines and the Dominican Republic. In 2009, the organization celebrated its 20th anniversary. For more information, go to: www.physiciansforpeace.org

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