Hospice Cup, Inc. has officially launched its online fund raising campaign for the 2009 regatta. This marks the second year the nonprofit organization will be using online efforts.

In 2008, participants in the online fund raising efforts raised over $14,000 – almost double the amount raised in previous years – proving that providing payments online for donors and fund raisers is far easier, and faster, than writing and mailing a check.

Hospice Cup, Inc. will continue to encourage and reward fund raising sailors, crew and local sailing clubs with the annual The Hank Lawton Award (sponsored by Hospice of the Chesapeake) for the crew raising the most money; and the Club Fund Raising Award (sponsored by Chuck and Cecilia Thompson) for the sailing club raising the most money as a group. These trophies will be awarded at the post-regatta Shore Party on September 26, 2009.

In addition to sailors, volunteer caregivers and those who have been touched by hospice care are also being encouraged to create a personal online fund raising page in memory of a loved one. Each page can contain a photo and personal story about supporting Hospice Cup.

The Hospice Cup XXVIII start page is located at http://www.firstgiving.com/hospicecup. Instructions are also available on our web site at www.hospicecup.org.

About Hospice Cup
Funds raised on behalf of the Hospice Cup regatta help to pay the expenses not covered by Medicare or private insurance. These dollars enable the hospices to provide skilled compassionate care, comfort and dignity to the terminally ill, their families and friends, regardless of their ability to pay. Hospice enables patients to carry on alert, pain-controlled lives so their last days may be spent in comfort, at home or in home-like settings. Hospice care concentrates on care, not cure. Bereavement counseling and support groups are part of hospice services after the loss of a loved one.

The 2009 participating hospices currently include: Capital Hospice, Calvert Hospice,
Hospice of the Chesapeake, The Talbot Hospice Foundation and Montgomery Hospice. Each hospice must meet the standards of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.

The annual Hospice Cup race is a cooperative effort, organized by the all-volunteer Hospice Cup, Inc. (HCI) Board of Directors, an Executive Director, participating area hospices and hundreds of volunteers. The race is managed by Shearwater Sailing Club and assisted by Storm Trysail Club Chesapeake Station. Hospice Cup, Inc. is a proud member of the National Hospice Regatta Alliance, www.hospiceregattas.org.

Additional information about the event can be found online at the official Hospice Cup web site www.hospicecup.org.