The Triple Crown series drew roughly 600 participants and raised $6,000 for its designated charity, Child & Family Resources. “Tucson had been in a deep, citywide mourning. In some ways, we’ll always be in mourning, but the wonderful thing about running and walking is it literally moves us forward and gets our hearts pumping and celebrates being alive and looking forward,” said Randy Accetta, the race organizer and a member of the Southern Arizona Roadrunners. “I think the city needed that.” As the first anniversary of the shooting neared, TMC hosted the opening ceremony for January’s Beyond events, designed to help the community move beyond grief and embrace positive choices. Drummers and dancers welcomed the first rays of sunlight at dawn, rejoicing in movement and kinship and closing with a procession that led participants to a health and wellness fair. Visitors tapped into services such as diabetes screening, expressive art projects, blood pressure checks and even Zumba and Jazzercise classes. Ross Zimmerman said his son, as a social worker, would have enthusiastically approved. ZIMMERMAN SAID HE WAS GRATEFUL FOR THE COMMUNITY RESPONSE, AND SAID THE TRIPLE CROWN EVENTS WERE A COMFORT, AS HE RAN PAST PARTS OF THE COURSES THAT HELD MEMORIES OF GABE – WHO TWICE RAN THE GRAND CANYON RIM-TO-RIM AND COMPLETED HIS FIRST MARATHON IN 2010. “I GOT A BIG KICK OUT OF IT,” SAID ZIMMERMAN, AN EXPERIENCED TRAIL RUNNER SINCE BEFORE GABE’S BIRTH.
Strange said both the Triple Crown and Beyond events not only meshed with the hospital’s overall mission, but dovetailed with the launch of its accountable care organization, designed to better manage health care costs by helping patients stay healthier longer and avoid acute care episodes. “As a community hospital with a focus on wellness, it just made sense for us to be involved,” Strange said, adding the hospital remains committed to continuing that work.