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A Pella woman is running in Sunday’s Des Moines Marathon to help raise money for hospice care.  Debbie Kissinger will participate in “Run to Remember,” which will benefit the Hospice of Central Iowa, where she works, and the National Hospice Foundation.  Kissinger set out to run in the memory of three family members she lost in 2007, but has since added more names to her list and has also collected donations along the way, which will help fund various programs.

“The funds are used for programs such as the ‘quality of life’ program, which help patients and their families at end-of-life with granting a wish or helping pay a utility bill; any kind of needs they may have. It’s unique to our hospice [Hospice of Central Iowa], so that’s a great program that the money will be used for.”

Kissinger adds that funds going to the foundation also assist families and patients with financial needs.

“It’s also used for patient financial assistance for those patients who may not have the means to pay for the care or maybe don’t have insurance. They [Hospice] will kick in some dollars and help the patients and their families. No one is ever turned away from hospice care because of their inability to pay, and that’s what the foundation is set up for.”

Kissinger will be accepting donations through mid-November.  To donate to Kissinger’s “Run to Remember,” contact the Hospice of Central Iowa Office in Knoxville.  You can also find out more on her website: