In May 2016, my seemingly healthy-as-a-horse, vibrant mother Susan Bryant was diagnosed with an aggressive, exceedingly rare form of melanoma; by August 13, she had lost her short but painful battle. What happened between that time of diagnosis and her passing has made me a dedicated supporter of Hospice of Chattanooga, and the reason I enthusiastically participate in fundraising activities such as Miles for Memories. The staff at HOC treated my mother with grace and dignity, ensuring her last weeks on this earth were as comfortable as possible, all the while gently guiding me and my grieving family through the end of life process, making a painful and confusing chapter of our lives a little more manageable. But the care didn't end there. My brother and I both took advantage of their free grief counseling for nearly a year, a service which, amazingly, is open to anyone who has lost a loved one, even if they didn't pass away in Hospice of Chattanooga's care. For these reasons and more, it's an honor and a privilege to support Hospice of Chattanooga in whatever way I can in my mother's precious memory. Now more than ever there is a greater need for the type of patient care and grief counseling Hospice of Chattanooga provides and events like Miles for Memories help raise critical funds for over 3,300 patients and 2,800 families who rely on Hospice of Chattanooga’s support programs. With this in mind, I ask that you please support me in my efforts and make a donation today!