I am embarking on this hiking adventure (and embracing the possibility of sore muscles, blisters and sprains) to raise money for Santa Rosa Community Health (SRCH)  for a few reasons. 

The first is, I love my job! As a nurse at SRCH, I get to see how dedicated EVERYONE there is to all members of our community.  Through fires and pandemics the entire team works tirelessly to meet the medical, dental and mental health needs of our over 42,000 patients. I am constantly amazed by the people I work with. 

And, perhaps, closest to my heart, SRCH has a program dedicated to providing competent, compassionate care to the members of our community with intellectual and developmental disabilities. (Full disclosure, this is the program I work for and reserve the right to brag!) As the mother of a 12-year old with profound disabilities, I have experienced the challenges of finding care and services for those who don't quite fit the mold. In a lot of places, these people tend to be overlooked, but at SRCH they are a priority. Each of our patients is recognized as a whole person with unique talents, who deserves to live a full and healthy life as part of our community. Ensuring programs like this are able to continue is worth a few blisters

Finally, I am doing this for my own health. Last year doctors discovered a tumor had taken up residence in my heart. Less than a week later I had open heart surgery and hiking became an integral part of my healing. (Pro tip: a Sonoma County parks pass = best investment ever!) And every step I take on this journey will be in memory of my dad, Pete, because everywhere we went together, we walked.

So. Many. Reasons. Hopefully one of them will inspire you to help me support this great organization.

Many thanks,

Patty