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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The annual Auction of Champions, which benefits the National Farm Medicine Center at Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation, will take place Thursday, September 24, at Clearwaters Hotel and Convention Center, Marshfield, during the heart of National Farm Safety and Health Week.

The event will include a reception and silent auction at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m. and a live auction at 8 p.m. Live music will follow the live auction.

Proceeds from the Auction support research and outreach on issues that affect farmers and rural residents, including children’s safety and ground water quality. In addition, the Auction benefits central Wisconsin youth who raise and show their animals at the Clark County Fair and the Central Wisconsin State Fair in Marshfield. Generous donors purchase thousands of dollars worth of champion livestock each year for the Auction, money that goes back into the pockets of these youngsters, helping them to pursue college and career dreams.

The theme of this year’s Auction is “Paradise Awaits” and includes a chance to bid for a week-long stay on the Big Island of Hawaii. Other Auction items include championship meat, sports memorabilia, jewelry, art, weekend getaways and Packers tickets. One lucky bidder will have a chance at winning $10,000 cash. And once again, the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board will provide a table featuring the best cheeses from around the state.

Ticket sales have been brisk and another sellout is expected. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased by contacting Jill Kurszewski, Marshfield Clinic Development office, 715-389-5146 or kurszewski.jill@marshfieldclinic.org. For more on the Auction, go to www.marshfieldclinic.org/auction

Since the first Auction of Champions was held in 1982, more than $1.9 million has been raised, including $191,000 at the 2008 event.

Half the proceeds from this year’s auction will be dedicated to the Stueland Endowment. The Dr. Dean T. Stueland Endowment Fund was established in 2000 to foster and promote research and outreach/educational programs in emergency medicine, agricultural medicine and alcohol and other drug abuse (AODA) medicine, all special interests of the late Marshfield Clinic vice president and National Farm Medicine Center medical director.

The Marshfield Clinic system provides patient care, research and education with 45 locations in northern, central and western Wisconsin, making it one of the largest comprehensive medical systems in the United States.