Founder makes Heart Walk cancellation statement –

Jeanette Rogers-Erickson at her final Heart Walk event, for her 25th birthday, with friends

Photo and story by Catherine Stachowiak

On the evening of Wednesday, May 22, Jeanette Rogers Erickson explained the reasons for the cancellation of the annual Heart Walk event, which she founded 25 years ago.

She told the Kern Valley Sun that she proposed stopping the heart walk, at the Kern Valley Hospital Foundation (KVHF) board meeting, around March or April.

On May 9, foundation board treasurer Deborah Hess sent a report to the Kern Valley Health District board, which chief information officer Cary Zuber read, announcing the problem .

Rogers-Erickson said candidly, “I felt like, and I’m not saying this to brag, but I’m probably the main one to go out and get money because I’ve been doing it for so many years, thanks to my contacts. that I had, over so many different years. And I see that physically, I won’t be able to continue doing this for a long time. And I said, “We celebrated our 25th anniversary.” Let’s go off on a good note, even if it still raises large sums of money, because since I can’t go and ask for money for the Heart Walk, I would like it to go off on a good note.

Rogers-Erickson, who is also the founder of KVHF, explained that it was sometimes problematic to get things aligned, regarding use of the school track and auditorium, kitchen staff and sponsorship of food for the lunch following the Heart Walk. “There were a lot of components,” she said.

Rogers-Erickson also struggles with illness in her family, and rather than let things slow down with the Heart Walk, she thought it was best to end it after 25 years. “Let’s end it here and say: good job,” she said.

She also knew that she wouldn’t be able to do as much next year as she did this year, because she had overextended herself to get everything done the last time she planned this huge event.

Right now, Rogers-Erickson hopes the foundation will consider hosting a closing celebration of the Heart Walk. She said: “I would like it to be on a celebratory note. It was a job well done. The foundation looks forward to making a celebratory announcement.

According to Hess’ previous statement, the Foundation was considering other fundraising options to replace the annual Heart Walk event.

The Kern Valley Sun intends to continue following up on this story.