In 2004, residents of the low-income and primarily Latino neighborhood of Little Village joined with administrators from nearby Saint Anthony Hospital to address the critical lack of accessible health services on the Southwest Side. Realizing that thousands of residents lacked quality medical services and relied on the emergency department for routine care, they decided to open a primary care clinic on South California Avenue and name it Esperanza, the Spanish word for hope.

Today, with seven sites and a team of more than 400 dedicated staff, Esperanza is one of the most respected Federally Qualified Health Centers in the nation, delivering accessible, bilingual care to more than 50,000 patients every year. From adult medicine, women's health and pediatrics to behavioral health services and wellness programs, Esperanza meets the needs of its community with innovation and a sterling commitment to quality.

I am running the Chicago marathon not just as a personal challenge and goal of mine, but for something much bigger than myself. I am raising funds for Esperanza Health Centers, an organization committed to eliminating disparities in access to high-quality healthcare. They believe - and I believe - that everyone deserves access to medical care regardless of income, insurance status, where they live, or immigration status. Through this fundraiser, I am working to raise enough to provide complete medical care for seven uninsured patients, including lab services. Every mile I run is for families who would otherwise go without care. If you are able to give, support, or share that will truly make a difference