17-yr-old Jasmine Jordan, youngest to run across US, raises awareness for truckers' healthcare fund

It is an honor and a pleasure to introduce you to a true American hero, Jasmine "Jazzy" Jordan.

In less than two weeks, Jazzy will run into New York City, completing her run across the US that began in Los Angeles in September 2009. And last Thursday, several DOT employees joined with staff from the Owner Operators Independent Drivers Assocation (OOIDA) to accompany Jazzy into Washington, DC.

DOTers ready to run, from left to right: Jonathan Mueller, OOIDA's Mike Joyce, Todd Solomon, Jazzy,
Darren Buck, Dolores Macias, Helen Serassio

Even more impressive than her record-setting effort--she will be the youngest ever to run across America--is that she's doing this to raise awareness and funds for the St. Christopher Fund for trucker relief.

Look, truck driving is not an easy way to earn a living. So the St. Christopher Truckers Development and Relief Fund provides financial assistance to drivers who have medical problems and cannot afford health care. SCF also conducts health research to benefit professional drivers and the trucking industry.

Jazzy and DOT/OOIDA crew cross Memorial Bridge toward Lincoln Memorial with Arlington County police escort

Jazzy grew interested in SCF when an employee of her family's trucking company, Sheila Grothe, was diagnosed with cancer:

"I heard that Sheila wasn't able to afford some of the treatments for her cancer, and it didn't seem right. All my life I've heard that 'America moves by truck,' and I just thought someone should tell people about how independent truck drivers have a hard time with health insurance and how the St. Christopher Fund helps. Then maybe the fund could have more money available for people like Sheila. Since I'm a runner, I tried to think of something to do with running."

After Sheila died on April 17, 2009, Jazzy went out for a run. "It's what I do when I'm stressed or need to think," she explains. "And that's when I decided to try this cross-country run."

With the help of her father, Lee, who put aside his own trucking company to support Jazzy, her run began a few months later.

Through 118 degree heat in California to the shin splints that have plagued her since New Mexico and the many days it took just to cross Texas, Jazzy has persevered.

"I don't think of the hard stuff when I'm out there," she says. "I think of the good moments, like running into West Memphis, Arkansas, where two fire trucks made an archway of extended ladders and the sidewalks were lined with elementary school students who then joined me on the road. That one brought me to tears. Good tears."

The group gets stuck in traffic

And now, Jazzy is in the final stages. She cleared Baltimore over the weekend, and looks to cross into New York City on June 15, nearly 3,200 miles after she began.

"It's been great," Jazzy says, "despite the pain and injuries. I've met lots of interesting people and awesome support. And the trucking community has just really gotten into this, so we've had 'friends' all over."

What a positive outlook! You know, in addition to just being a terrific kid and huge asset to the St. Christopher Fund, Jazzy has also been an individual influence, inspiring people to get out and move to improve their own health.

Jazzy explains:

"I met a truck driver named Ed German who weighed over 400 pounds. Then, he said he heard about what I was doing and decided to change his lifestyle. He cut out the three or four quarts of pop he drank every day and started getting more exercise. By the time I met him in person, he was already down below 300 pounds! That's the kind of story that keeps me going for the long haul."

Jazzy getting some well-deserved big-city attention

Well, that long haul is almost over as Jazzy approaches New York. But there's still time for everyone to learn more about this extraordinary young woman and her heroic mission at her website and on her Facebook page.

I want to thank the DOT employees who braved the weather and the miles Thursday to support Jazzy's DC run. They represent the deep commitment to service I have come to know well at DOT.

And, of course, I want to thank Jazzy for being such a terrific inspiration to us at DOT, to the trucking community, and to the nation. I wish you a strong finish!

Comments

[Kay Rupert]

Thank you for writing about such a fantastic young lady!!! I met her at MATS and feel very blessed. Your write-up is such a breath of fresh air for the relationship between the government and the truck industry. Jazzy has definitely done the country a world of good.

[Jacqueline Downing]

Finally after all this time someone in Washington, DC. has took notice of what Jazzy is doing, and why she is doing it. Way to go Jazzy!!

[Jami Jones]

It is so nice to see DOT leadership and staff support the efforts of Jasmine to bring awareness to the plight of truckers needing health care.

I'm sure Mr. LaHood's words of praise and encouragement mean the world to Jazzy and her family.

[Charlie]

I get shin splints too, or I used to, but I found a cure that always works. The cure is to "pre-burn" your shins before you run. Here's how you do it:

Begin this 30 minutes to a couple of hours before you actually start running. Put on your running shoes and sit in a chair. Stretch your legs out in front of you, knees slightly bent, and then flex your feet upward, as if you were trying to bend your feet up so much your toes touch your shins. You can't actually do this, of course; but that's the concept.

The trick is, you must do this AS HARD AS YOU CAN and HOLD IT until your shins begin to really burn, then hold it burning for 30 seconds. Stop for 30 seconds but do not stretch your feet downward. Repeat until it burns again and hold it for 30 seconds. It really needs to burn and you need to be at the point of "I can't do this anymore!" Rest and repeat a third time. Now stretch your feet gently downward and walk around. If you really got the shin burning really hard, start running in 30 minutes.

An alternate way to do this is to stand next to a sofa or other thing with a suitable edge, and tuck your feet under the edge of the sofa. Then with both feet at once, flex your feet upward from the ankle, so your feet LIFT the sofa off the floor (or try to). Lift it as high as you can and hold it - same burning for 30 seconds. IMPORTANT - be sure you position your feet so the weight of the sofa is on the upper side of the ball of your foot, not on your toes and not on the top of your foot so you don't put stress the soft tendon area.

I find pre-burning my shins also helps when I ice skate or ski... or anything that involves my lifting up my feet in an active stepping motion.

[Michael E. Bailey]

This is great to here and it will be invaluable to independent truckers across the country. The St. Christopher Fund is another terrific program. My question is: Is there anyone out there--the indpendent trucking association, DOT, others doing out reach on it to the drivers? Does it have a wellness component to address issues such as the importance of diet, getting excersize, not smoking, not drinking? Best wishes, Michael E. Bailey.

[Rhianna]

I hope that everyone will open their hearts and purses to support this young woman who is selflessly supporting a great cause

[Pwwroa]

I hope the President and First Lady acknowledge her.

[Regina J]

I just saw JAZZY in Paulsboro NJ. thanks for all you do!

[ernie cook]

some sail around the world just o say they did this unselfish young lady with a heart as big texas is doing it for a good cause being a trucker myself for 41 yrs. i;m touched by what she;s doing. i hope every one in our industry will support her and SCF.also thank dot and ooida for recognition. thanks JAZZY ERNIE

[joe]

uh, she is not the youngest to run across america. Tobie Joseph Cotton ran it at 15 in 1928

[Stability Running Shoes]

Wow what an amazing Girl That is Phenomenal!!!

Jasmine has talent that is hard to come by.

Good for her, very inspirational article!

I started running competetively when I was 15 and I was slightly average to above

average as far as ability. So I can admire her passion and energy!