Dear Friends and Supporters,

As I lace up my running shoes to train for the Chicago Marathon in October 2025, I find myself inspired by the incredible journey of Esperanza Health Centers—a true beacon of hope and health in the community. It is unacceptable that many underserved communities still face significant barriers to accessing reliable healthcare. Every family deserves doctors they can trust and clinics where they can seek care without the burden of financial strain.

In 2004, residents of Little Village joined forces with Saint Anthony Hospital to address a pressing need for accessible healthcare on Chicago's Southwest Side. This collaborative vision led to the founding of Esperanza, a name that beautifully translates to "hope" in Spanish. Today, Esperanza stands tall with seven locations and a dedicated team of over 400 professionals, providing care to more than 50,000 patients annually.

Esperanza's mission is clear: to promote wellness and improve health outcomes by offering compassionate, culturally sensitive medical, behavioral, and dental care—regardless of a patient's ability to pay. They create an inviting environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered in their healthcare journey.

I am proud to support Esperanza's mission by dedicating my marathon run to raising vital funds for their ongoing efforts. Every contribution, no matter how small, has the power to make a difference and to impact lives positively. Together, we can ensure that quality healthcare is accessible to all in our community. Join me in this journey. Together, we can ignite the flame of hope and reaffirm our commitment to health equity for everyone, inspiring each other to persevere and strive for a brighter future.

Warm regards,

Thomas Prado