“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

- Maya Angelou

Do you remember being a child and having just one adult who made a difference in your life? Will you join me and be that for someone else? 

I am a traveling nurse originally from Ohio, who has been practicing my speciality in the field of emergency medicine for the past 5 years. I have worked with numerous patient populations from all ages, genders, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Through the years I have come across various situations where children have been the most under-represented; specifically children of abuse. Resources and advocation for this population are pertinent yet under funded. 

The goal of the Courage Ride, is to create ample opportunity, funding, and resource availability, beyond what inpatient care can offer. This fundraiser through Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital, will benefit adolescents by financing access to ongoing clinician care, treatment, and advocacy support. The donations given will help aid in prevention of unsafe environments for all children affected by abuse and neglect. As a child you can’t always identify safe from unsafe or healthy from unhealthy, but as a `healthcare professional who is accustomed to triaging a situation quickly, I can easily sense a child in need of a safer environment. Identification of abuse is followed by treatments and follow up care that may require materialization that exceeds what hospital allocation allows. 

Last year, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Pierce County served 610 kids, completed 259 medical evaluations and 445 forensic interviews. Regardless of the type of abuse they experienced or witnessed, 450 children were given access to social work and advocacy support compared to 266 in 2020.

These services would not be possible without donor support. Insurance does not cover all medical care costs associated with abuse — especially sexual abuse — leaving victims with limited options.

For the 2022 Courage Ride, I will be riding my bike through Leavenworth, Washington for two days, with a team of 10 riders assembled by my employer, Travel Nurse Across America. I am hoping to raise $750, for this very worthy cause, by August 20th. On the first day I will be riding 53 miles through the Cascade Mountain Range, and on day 2 I will ride an additional 40 miles through the Cascades. My total mileage for two days of riding will be 93 miles. If I reach my goal of $750 I will ride an additional 7 miles to make a total of 100 miles in two days, and I will add an additional $100 of my own to the grand total. Please help support my passion for children’s advocacy against abuse.

100% of your donation will benefit child abuse prevention and treatment programs at Mary Bridge Children's Hospital and Health Network.  

In 2021, more than 600 children walked through the doors of Pierce County's Child Advocacy Center (CAC) in need of support and hope.  Join me as we ensure that each of these children get the justice and healing they deserve.

There are many ways you can help!

Ready. Set. Courage.