October 25, 2006

CONTACT: Rick Cushman
(215) 349-5659
rick.cushman@uphs.upenn.edu

Wissahickon Hospice Teams Up with the Moyer Foundation to Bring
Bereavement Camp to Local Children
PENN Medicine pitches in to help Philadelphia Phillies Pitcher Jamie Moyer
continue philanthropy in his home state

(Philadelphia, PA) – The University of Pennsylvania Health System’s Wissahickon Hospice announced a new partnership with The Moyer Foundation, established by Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jamie Moyer and his wife Karen, to assist in the development of Camp Erin-Philadelphia. Camp Erin, created and funded by The Moyer Foundation, is the largest network of bereavement camps in the United States with eight camps covering six different states. The Philadelphia camp will be the first on the East Coast.

Every Camp Erin is facilitated through a partnership with a local hospice or grief-services organization, like the Wissahickon Hospice.

“I am delighted that Penn’s Wissahickon Hospice is partnering with the Moyer Foundation to establish the newest Camp Erin,” said Joan Doyle, executive director of Penn Home Care and Hospice Services. Wissahickon Hospice has a strong history and commitment to helping grief-stricken children in our communities. Camp Erin-Philadelphia will complement our existing children’s bereavement program, allowing us to reach more children in need of counseling and healing services. We look forward to our first Camp Erin in the summer of 2007.”

“It’s the foundation’s goal to have Camp Erin’s throughout the United States,” said Jamie Moyer, co-founder and president of The Moyer Foundation. “Being able to give back to the community is a dream come true. I have had the opportunity to visit many of the camps to see first hand, how being around other children going through similar situations impacts their lives.”

The Foundation will help raise funds for the new camp through special events, corporate support and donations. The fundraising kicks off for Camp Erin-Philadelphia on December 2nd in Seattle, Washington with the Evening for Erin auction. The event features live and silent auctions, as well as a featured item on Ebay the same day, which will allow supporters outside Seattle to participate in the fundraising efforts.

Camp Erin is named for Erin Metcalf, a family friend of the Moyers who lost her battle with cancer at age 17. Before passing, Erin expressed her wishes to help other children. Erin’s wish came true in 2001 when The Moyer Foundation established the first Camp Erin in Snohomish, WA.

Moyer, born in Sellersville, Pa., lived in Souderton, Pa and attended St. Joseph’s University. Jamie’s parents Jim and Joan, still live in Souderton. Jamie’s wife Karen Phelps Moyer, is the daughter of Digger Phelps, former coach at the University of Pennsylvania and Notre Dame.

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PENN Medicine is a $2.9 billion enterprise dedicated to the related missions of medical education, biomedical research, and high-quality patient care. PENN Medicine consists of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (founded in 1765 as the nation's first medical school) and the University of Pennsylvania Health System.

Penn's School of Medicine is ranked #2 in the nation for receipt of NIH research funds; and ranked #3 in the nation in U.S.News & World Report's most recent ranking of top research-oriented medical schools. Supporting 1,400 fulltime faculty and 700 students, the School of Medicine is recognized worldwide for its superior education and training of the next generation of physician-scientists and leaders of academic medicine.

The University of Pennsylvania Health System includes three hospitals, all of which have received numerous national patient-care honors [Hospital of theUniversity of Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania Hospital, the nation's first hospital; and Penn Presbyterian Medical Suite]; a faculty practice plan; a primary-care provider network; two multispecialty satellite facilities; and home care and hospice.


This release is available online at http://www.uphs.upenn.edu/news/News_Releases/oct06/camperin.htm