LAPORTE | Tour de LaPorte, the LaPorte Hospital Foundation's bike, walk and run event, raised approximately $25,000 to help cancer patients in 2008.

The 7th Annual Tour de La Porte hosted a total of 620 participants on Aug. 24. Of those participants, there were 375 cyclists (riding from five to 100 miles) and 245 5K runners and walkers. The total number of participants almost doubled from last year's turnout of 350 participants.

Proceeds from the community-spirited event benefit cancer patients of La Porte Regional Health System (LRHS) in need of financial assistance during treatment and their families.

"The success of Tour de La Porte would not be possible without the continued support of everyone involved," La Porte Hospital Foundation Executive Vice President and COO, Maria Fruth said. "The efforts helped double the funds made from last year's event."

The Foundation thanked the corporate sponsors for their financial support. Major sponsors included: Al's supermarket of La Porte; Celgene; La Porte Radiology, Inc. & Michiana Hematology Oncology; Anesthesia Associates of La Porte; BOSS Industries; Brentwood at La Porte; DeVata Physics, Inc.; D.A. Dodd; Duneland Beach; Emcor-Hyre Electric; Huggett-Betten; Larson-Danielson Construction; MPA Architects; New York Blower and Linde, Raymond James and Showmen Supplies. Additional on-site assistance and products were provided by: La Porte Amateur Radio Club; Sauers Buick-Pontiac-Cadillac-GMC Truck, Inc.; Garwood's Orchards; City's Pure Ice; Waste Management and photographer Larry Noel.

Entertainment and encouragement for the 5K event was provided by Jazzercise of New Carlisle; Ladies Fitness Zone; Starlite Music Services and the La Porte High School Cheerleading Varsity and Junior Varsity Squads, directed by Christine Legard.

The La Porte Hospital Foundation Tour de La Porte committee was chaired by Ronda Powell, and committee members included: Ross Lawrence, DDS, Draga Beckner, Sue Brown, Olga Felton, Laura Gould, Kristina Jacobucci, Bob Johnson, Josh Kellems, Mark Kosior, Denise Lamphier, Larry Noel, Dan Plank, Jessica Romine, Scott Siefker, Andy Snyder, Jim Vanes, DDS, Debbie Versaw and Don Yurkovich.

More than 130 volunteers, including the 62 LRHS employees, helped make the event a success.

Top prizewinners for the first-ever 5K running event were: overall female open winner ¾ Sandy Stefanski with a time of 19:27.3; overall male open winner ¾ J. D. Laubster with a time of 16:44.5; overall female masters winner ¾ Deborah Brann with a time of 23:01.6 and overall male masters winner ¾ Mike Daly with a time of 18:45.1.

Other awards presented were: team with highest donations ¾ Carl Para III Run; most spirited team ¾ Uncle Bob Wilson and largest team ¾ Carl Para III Bike. Certificates were also awarded to the top three participants in each age category by gender. Special recognition was given to Gene Burrows as the individual who brought in the largest amount of personal sponsorships, totaling $850.

Established in 1978, the La Porte Hospital Foundation is the philanthropic arm of La Porte Regional Health System, encouraging charitable giving and supporting healthier communities and lifestyles.

For more information, call the La Porte Hospital Foundation at (219) 326-2471 or toll free at (877) 265-4539, or email at laportehospitalfoundation@lph.org.

--For The Times