‘Jazzy’ Jordan Nears the Finish Line – Times Square NYC
June 12, 2010 by Truckdrivernews · Leave a Comment
Jasmine “Jazzy” Jordan is 17 years old, but is not the typical teenager that goes to school, and to the mall, or the movies and such. This remarkable young woman is doing something special for truck drivers – she’s running.
Many truckers don’t have medical insurance because either they can’t afford it, or the company they work for does not offer it in which they can’t afford to get it on their own.
“Jazzy” is running across the US to raise awareness for the St. Christopher Truckers Development and Relief Fund. The organization provides assistance to truck drivers with medical problems and with little or no insurance to pay for it. It’s estimated that 70 percent of the more than 3.5 million professional truck drivers in the United States have one or more serious health problems.
A family friend and driver – Shelia Grothe – with Jasmine’s parents Minnesota trucking company died in 2009 after a nearly two-year battle with cancer. This is the reason “Jazzy” is running across the US, and what keeps her going when it gets tough. “The night she passed was April 17,” Jasmine explained. “That’s the same night I decided to do this run.”
Jasmine has already covered more than 3,000 miles since starting her run last September in California. The image below shows the states she has covered in her journey.
As of yesterday she had 100 miles to go, and is planning on being in Times Square between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. next Tuesday, June 15. That is if nothing else happens on this astounding, most selfless act this person is showing. There have been a couple of “bumps” in the road, but this has not stopped her will to finish this run.
In October, she suffered a stress fracture in her left foot that put her out of commission for six weeks, but she didn’t quit she returned to running after it healed. And just recently while preparing to run in North Carolina – a car apparently not able to see her dad’s support truck – with a huge “RunWithJazzy.com” sign and flashing warning lights atop the truck’s cab crashed into it pushing it 60 or so feet with Jazzy and her dad inside the truck. Fortunately neither were seriously hurt, and were back to running – again.
To stay up-to-date Jazzy’s website has pictures and information about her run and how to donate to the St. Christopher Fund. Also, she can be found giving updates and posting pictures on her Facebook page. Thanks “Jazzy” for what you are doing – it is truly appreciated.
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