SAN FRANCISCO, Aug 26, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating contest may have Joey Chestnut, but the Brown & Toland Medical Group calls Beverly Del Rosario "champ."

The senior human resources associate munched her way to a first unofficial competitive eating title earlier this month when she won Brown & Toland's inaugural bacon eating contest. Money raised through the competition benefited the American Heart Association.

Brown & Toland recognizes the dangers of a sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy diet, said Vice President of Marketing and Communications Richard Angeloni. However, the contest seemed like a new way to raise awareness among employees about heart disease, the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States.

"Obviously we all know the dangers of eating too much fat and cholesterol," Angeloni said, "but this seemed like a fun way to help raise awareness and money for a great cause."

Del Rosario said she would do anything to raise more awareness, even if it meant eating a half-pound or more of bacon.

"Whatever I can do to support the program," Del Rosario said. Del Rosario, among dozens of fellow Brown & Toland employees, will march in the American Heart Association's Start! Heart Walk slated for noon on Sept. 19.

Brown & Toland has been a corporate sponsor of the association's Heart Walk since 2004. In 2006, employees began raising money for the Heart Walk and last year topped the $50,000 mark, the fifth highest amount among 80 participating corporations in San Francisco. Through all efforts combined over the last four years, Brown & Toland has donated more than $100,000 to the association to help combat cardiac disease.

This year's walk will cover three miles, from Justin Herman Plaza in downtown San Francisco to PIER 39 and back again. The event emphasizes the importance of walking as a heart healthy exercise while raising funds to help fight heart disease and stroke.