FROM RACE DIRECTOR GRETA HODGE

Hello!

This year, 2023, is the 11th annual Jim Hodge Memorial Run. Over the last 10 years, we’ve raised $150,000 for supporting local cardio-pulmonary rehabilitation patients and raise awareness of organ donation. Thank you for being part of this impressive feat.

A decade ago, my family and I were looking for a way to remember Jim and remind our friends family, community, and yes, ourselves, what was important to him and what he meant to us We came up with the idea of a run/walk which was greeted by many that first year, so we decided to keep going forward.

Jim was devoted to the community his entire life. He worked for the Menominee Public School system and served in leadership roles for many local organizations, including President of the Bay Area Medical Center Board. After given only two years of survival, he underwent a lung transplant and more hope and endurance than anyone should need but lost his battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis, a condition that damages the lungs and impairs the transfer of oxygen to other organs.

This year particularly, we are aiming to highlight the life-saving decision to become an organ donor. Jim’s time with us, his family, was extended thanks to a generous person that made the decision to become an organ donor once they passed. We are hoping to encourage others to do the same so that more families have time with their children, parents, spouses and friends.

We hope you’ll join us this year in continuing to honor the memory of Jim on August 5th. Funds we raise will stay local and continue to support the Cardio-Pulmonary Rehabilitation Services and patients at Aurora Medical Center – Bay Area. To that end, donations and sponsorship fees will be managed directly by the Aurora Health Foundation.  Our longtime partner, Provident Health Foundation will continue to be our race coordinator.

Stay tuned for more information. And thank you again for your support.