Light Up A Life

Tribute celebration featured musical performances by the San Diego Symphony
San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine’s Light up a Life Celebration honored the
memory of loved ones for all San Diegans. The tribute celebration was held at the San Diego Civic
Theatre on Dec. 9, 2008 and is an annual tradition for the not-for-profit organization, which raised more
than $225,000 to support the organization’s programs and services for the seriously ill of all ages.
More than 1,300 people attended the event, featuring musical performances by The San Diego
Symphony, with conductor Matthew Garbutt. The highlight of the evening was the lighting of the
Christmas tree and Menorah, which symbolically represented the lives of loved ones being honored, both
past and present.
San Diego Hospice Regional Director Ben Marcantonio, MFT, emceed the event, along with several
presenters who shared their journeys with San Diego Hospice including Dr. Eric Roeland, a Fellow with
The Institute for Palliative Medicine; James Bowser, a spiritual counselor; and local businessman Richard
Ybarra paid tribute to his late mother, Sofia Erminia “Minnie” Ybarra, who received San Diego Hospice
care. Richard was joined on stage by his brothers Albert and Sammy who both performed the song they
sang and played for their mother by her bedside before she passed away.
San Diego Hospice’s Light up a Life has touched thousands of lives since its inception 26 years ago, and
continues to help ensure that all seriously ill patients in our community receive the compassionate end-oflife
care they deserve, regardless of their ability to pay. For more information, call 619-688-1600 or visit
online at www.sdhospice.org.
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Sponsorship Information:
- Platinum Sponsor $10,000
- Exclusive invitation to the VIP reception
- Platinum ornament keepsake
- Platinum sponsorship recognition in signage and printed materials
- Gold Sponsor $5,000
- Exclusive invitation to the VIP reception
- Gold ornament keepsake
- Gold sponsorship recognition in signage and printed materials
- Silver Sponsor $2,500
- Exclusive invitation to the VIP reception
- Silver ornament keepsake
- Silver sponsorship recognition in signage and printed materials
- Bronze Sponsor $1,000
- Exclusive invitation to the VIP reception
- Bronze ornament keepsake
- Bronze sponsorship recognition in signage and printed materials
*all sponsors may send in a picture or jpeg of their loved one to be shown during the main program. Please send pictures to lsanchez@sdhospice.org or to Laura Sanchez at 4311 Third Ave San Diego CA 92103.