“One More Little Victory Checked Off My List!”

Grand Haven Coast Guard Week is a tradition that started in 1937. For many of those years, the Tri-Cities YMCA has kicked off the celebration with a 5K, 10K and Fun Run.

Since 2014, Trinity Health Grand Haven Bariatrics and Weight Management has fielded its own team of “spectators-turned-athletes” for whom this race has special meaning.

“For many of our patients, a community walk or run was something they never thought they could do, or could no longer do,” said Kelly Liggett, exercise physiologist. “We thought it would be exciting to get some of our staff and patients involved in the 5K.”

In 2014, Kelly and her coworkers reached out to their patients and formed a team.

“We had 17 patients the first year,” Kelly recalled, “and it just kept growing from there.”

Trinity Health Grand Haven was once again the presenting sponsor for the Coast Guard City USA Run and had more than 65 patients and staff on this year’s team.

“More than one-third of the patient participants are first-timers,” Kelly noted. “They are always so thrilled by what they can accomplish. It’s a great morale booster!”

“Race day is one of the most rewarding days of the year,” Kelly shared. “I remember last year when one of our team members was struggling to walk up a steep hill because her knees hurt so badly. She was on the verge of giving up. Then another team member came up alongside her and encouraged her right to the end. They finished together, with tears in their eyes.

“They were not the only ones … we were all emotional. This race represents a huge milestone. To celebrate all the hard work that brings each person to the finish line, our staff — led by Dr. Eric Krebill and Dr. Jennifer Sandy — hands out medals specifically made for our Bariatric Team.”

Mark Cubitt from White Cloud joined the team for the third year.

“I participated in my first 5K just a few weeks after surgery,” he recalled. “I was never an athlete as a kid. I had problems playing sports because of my weight. So, I was scared the first year, but I did it. Now I’m excited for the event!”

The Bariatric Clinic focuses on little victories with patients — things they can now do or enjoy that were unattainable before. Everyone on the race team wears a shirt with “One More Little Victory Checked Off My List” on it.

“I am 23 years old, and I have my whole life ahead of me,” Mark shared. “Now I can tie my shoes and work for eight hours per day. I can ride a bike and walk the beach. I want to travel, to walk the Grand Canyon, to go skydiving. These are all things I couldn’t have even dreamed of doing before my bariatric surgery.”

Learn more about bariatric surgery at Trinity Health and find a bariatric surgeon near you.