On April 29, 2010, at age 78, Rose Rolfsen raised $13,000 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society through the “Team in Training” program, raising the second highest amount this year by anyone in the country. Add that to the amount raised since her first race in 2005, and Rose joins an elite cadre of $50,000-plus fundraisers. For next year’s race, Rose has set “80 by 80” as her goal: $80,000 in total donations by her 80th birthday. While certainly ambitious, Rose has absolute confidence. “If I have to knock on every door in Baton Rouge to do it,” says Rose, “I will.”

Thanks to a regular schedule of walking and exercise, Rose has improved her race time each year since she started five years ago. That alone is a commendable demonstration of Excellence Through Experience®. It is her escalating success at fundraising, however, where Rose is breaking records. As she approaches her 80th birthday, Rose eagerly embraces activities that most of us would dread—like walking from house to house, knocking on doors and asking strangers for money.

The value of life experience is abundantly evident in Rose Rolfsen’s success at raising funds. Years of real estate sales experience (and 20 grandchildren!) have honed her people skills and remarkable ability to make people smile. As Rose conducts her door-to-door soliciting for donations, she approaches each house with enthusiasm and confidence. Some give a lot, some just a little, and life experience has given Rose the compassionate understanding that some can’t give anything at all. For those people she’ll offer a hug, some words of encouragement… and a self-addressed, stamped envelope so they can mail Rose their contribution when circumstances change.

Rose Rolfsen… Peoples Health Champion.