FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

For more information:  
Sarah Turner
Credit Union Miracle Day, Inc.
(CUMD)443-325-0778
info@cucherryblossomrun.org

2011 Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run® a Success!
Ten Year Sponsorship by Credit Unions Brings Spectacular Results for CUs, Runners, and Children’s Hospitals

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 3, 2011 -- The 39th running of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run® took place today, Sunday April  3‚with over 15‚000 runners competing in the world-class sporting event around the monuments of DC. Credit unions have sponsored the Run for ten years to benefit Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) affiliated hospitals.

Credit union race officials were beaming even before the race began.   This year’s donation of $578,000‚ helped bring the ten year total of funds donated to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals to over $5 million.

“Thanks to the tremendous support of our lead partner‚ PSCU Financial Services‚ once again‚ we are able to donate 100 percent of the funds raised to Children’s Miracle Network affiliated hospitals across the country‚” said Juri Valdov‚ Chairman of the title sponsor group‚ Credit Union Miracle Day‚ Inc. “Thanks to partners such as PSCU Financial Services, the run has been a success on every level.”

Mr. Valdov reported that  in addition to bringing the ten year donation total  to over $5 million, 91 Members of Congress from 34 states were Honorary Race Chairs –more than twice the number as last year.  Nearly 700 Hill runners participated in the run as well.

The kick-off press conference and sponsor appreciation luncheon on Friday‚ April 1st at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington‚ DC‚ was well attended by credit union leaders including CUNA President, Bill Cheney, and NAFCU President, Fred Becker.  Marathon  legend Bill Rodgers was on hand to congratulate and  thank credit unions for their support.

During the press conference, Mr. Valdov announced that credit unions had signed on to sponsor the race through 2016.

Credit union runners from as far away as New York and California participated in the run.  VIP athletes in the Run included Andrews FCU President/CEO Chris McDonald. California Credit Union League president, Diana Dykstra, participated in the 5K run. It is estimated that over 7‚000 of the runners are credit union members.

Once again, there was live video streaming of the run action on two websites: www.cucherryblossomrun.org and www.cherryblossom.org.  For the third year in a row there was a simultaneous “satellite” race with US troops overseas.  More than 1,000 runners at Camp Arijan in Kuwait, participated in the race.

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals is an alliance of premier children’s hospitals across North America which treats 17 million critically ill children annually‚ regardless of their ability to pay. The Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run®‚ known as the Runner’s Rite of Spring®‚ also serves as the RRCA National 10-Mile Championship.

Credit Union Miracle Day‚ Inc.‚ (CUMD) is the title sponsor group of the Run. CUMD is a partnership of credit unions, CUSOs and partner organizations nationwide that have joined together under the umbrella of Credit Unions for Kids to support Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals by sponsoring the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run®. PSCU Financial Services is the Lead Partner‚ and CUNA Mutual Group is a National Business Partner.   For more information‚ visit www.cucherryblossomrun.org.

Based in St. Petersburg‚ Florida‚ PSCU Financial Services is the nation’s largest credit union service organization (CUSO) and serves more than 1‚500 financial institutions nationwide. As a non-profit cooperative‚ the company is owned by more than 640 member credit unions representing over 16 million credit, debit, prepaid and online payment accounts. Its Contact Centers handle more than 18 million inquiries a year. For more information‚ visit www.pscufs.com.

For more information, please contact Sarah Turner, CUMD Director, at 443-325-0778 or info@cucherryblossomrun.org.

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