Trails4Transplants kicks off trail ride at Garden of Hope
Trails4Transplants kicks off trail ride at Garden of Hope
Trails4Transplants (T4T), a group that takes long-distance trail rides to raise awareness about organ, eye and tissue donation, kicked off its 2018 ride, titled 10,000 Reasons to Donate, at Tri-County Health Care’s Garden of Hope in Wadena.
The group arrived at the Wadena County Fairgrounds on Saturday, May 19, before being treated to a special dinner by Tri-County Health Care. The evening provided an opportunity for those touched by organ donation to share their stories. T4T member Sally Jacobson shared her story of receiving a liver. Bill Barbknecht talked about donating a kidney to his wife, Carol, in 2013. Jennifer Lamblez with Lions Gift of Sight shared stories of eye donation. Lois Miller, Tri-County Health Care organ donation project lead, told the story of Stephanie Larson, who received a heart donation.
At the end of the dinner, T4T members Rita Hawkins and Roger Hille presented Miller with a $1,500 check for the Garden of Hope.
“We were honored to host the Trails4Transplants team as they began the final leg of their journey,” Miller said. “Their passion for their mission is extremely inspiring, and we were thrilled to receive their generous donation for our Garden of Hope.”
T4T headed out bright and early Sunday morning on its two-week-long trek to Rochester, a distance of 317 miles. This is their sixth and final leg of a six-year journey spanning 2,000 miles.
According to Ashley Peterson, a co-founder of T4T, the group’s number-one priority is raising awareness and educating people about organ, eye and tissue donation. This is followed closely by fundraising. The bulk of T4T’s fundraising goes to the Gift of Life House in Rochester, but it also supports other smaller organizations as well as donor and recipient families. During their trail rides, T4T members take the time to explain their passion and goals by scheduling speaking engagements and visiting with local residents.
“Horses really are the perfect catalyst for conversation,” Peterson said. “It’s the perfect opportunity to share our very simple message: Check the box for organ donation.”
ABOUT TRI-COUNTY HEALTH CARE
Tri-County Health Care is a private, not-for-profit health care system located in Wadena, Minnesota. It offers care services such as minimally invasive surgery, cancer care, diagnostic imaging, obstetrics and rehabilitation. Tri-County operates a 25-bed hospital and medical clinic in Wadena, as well as six satellite clinics and three physical therapy clinics across Todd, Wadena and Otter Tail counties. Satellite clinic locations include Henning, Bertha, Ottertail, Sebeka, Verndale and Baxter. Visit TCHC.org.
