Annual ‘Race for Agrace’ to Take Place September 19

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 17, 2021

Contact: 
Liz Kopling, Director of Marketing & Communications
Cell: (608) 772-9653
Liz.kopling@agrace.org

Annual ‘Race for Agrace’ to Take Place September 19
Employee-organized fundraiser benefits community grief support

MADISON, Wis. – Every year, more than 2,000 adults and children throughout southern Wisconsin receive grief support from Agrace when they need help coping with the loss of a loved one. This essential community service is available to anyone who has experienced a loss due to death, even if the person who died was not an Agrace hospice care patient.

Communities are experiencing a growing need for grief support, heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Because Agrace does not receive any type of reimbursement from insurance for its grief support services, they are funded primarily by community donations. Proceeds from this year’s Race for Agrace fundraiser will benefit the Agrace Grief Support Center in Fitchburg and the community grief support that Agrace provides throughout southern Wisconsin.

To ensure the safety and comfort of all participants, Race for Agrace is taking place Sunday, September 19 at 9 a.m. with a timed 5K or 1-mile run/walk at Agrace, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway in Fitchburg, or at a distance virtually, for those who prefer to choose their own course.

The $25 per person registration fee includes a race t-shirt for participants age 11 and older. Pre-registration is required and the per person price increases after August 4. Interested Agrace supporters and running enthusiasts can register online now at Agrace.org/race.

“Grief can be a profoundly lonely and isolating experience,” said Jessie Shiveler, Agrace community grief manager. “Our Grief Support Center and the community grief support services we offer are designed to help both adults and kids work through their grief to find hope after a death.”

With help from the Agrace Foundation, the event is being organized by a team of volunteers and Agrace employees from throughout the organization. Last year’s virtual-only race hosted nearly 400 participants and raised nearly $30,000.

The Race for Agrace is made possible by support from title sponsor The BerbeeWalsh Foundation, as well as other generous corporate sponsors and attendees. Complete details and information about sponsoring this event are available at agrace.org/race. Learn more about the Agrace Grief Support Center at agrace.org/griefcenter.

Founded in 1978, Agrace is a nonprofit, community-supported health care organization dedicated to providing high-quality care and support to people who are aging, ill, dying or grieving. With offices in Madison, Janesville, Baraboo and Platteville, Agrace serves nearly 1,500 patients and clients across southern Wisconsin every day. 

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