Name: John Jeffries
Age: 52
Education: California State University, Chico
Occupation: Senior vice president, Kapiolani Health
Hobbies: Gardening, golfing

This year, Jeffries was named the nation's top walker and single largest fund-raiser by the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation for their annual WalkAmerica event held April 13.

Jeffries raised a total of $65,000 - $9,701.49 per mile - easily surpassing all of the nearly 1 million walkers who participated in WalkAmerica fund-raisers across the country. His Kapiolani Health team - some 500 strong - raised $73,322 to capture the honor of top WalkAmerica team in Hawaii.

"This accomplishment could not have happened without the tremendous support and hard work of everyone on the Kapiolani Health team," said Jeffries. "... I'm just glad I could make a difference."

So are officials from the March of Dimes Pacific chapter, which praised Jeffries for his contribution to the most successful WalkAmerica event in its 26-year history. More than 5,000 walkers raised more than $400,000 for the charity.

WalkAmerica funds are invested in community services and education programs for pregnant mothers, their families and health professionals.

How did Jeffries raise so much money for the cause?

"I guess you could say I did this with dedication because the March of Dimes is such a good cause and it's easy for me to relate to them," he said. "... I contacted all the people I possibly could and found to my pleasant surprise that if you present a good cause that people can relate to, they do contribute more often than not. The more people I asked, the more dedicated I became to the cause, and it seems those I asked felt the same way because they contributed generously."

Roger Drue, president and chief executive officer of Kapiolani Health and 1996 WalkAmerica chairman, said: "WalkAmerica was the perfect venue for our employees to get involved and help our longtime partner in health, the March of Dimes, make a difference. We want all of Hawaii's parents to know the joy of having a healthy baby. We're sure glad John was on our team and we are certainly proud of him."