Yakima mom inspired to lead program that helped her regain health
Elizabeth Garcia remembers the day everything changed for her in 2018.
“I was very, very pregnant, and so run-down and fatigued,” she says. “My son wanted to play, and I was struggling with exhaustion. Looking over at him, I had the thought: ‘I want to be here for you — I want to play and run around with you.’”
After hearing a radio advertisement for MultiCare Yakima Memorial Hospital’s Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) — which helps prediabetic patients lower their risk of Type 2 diabetes — Garcia decided to sign up and get her energy, and life, back.
Supported by generous Memorial Foundation donors through the Healthy Yakima initiative, the year-long program focuses on equipping participants with tools and knowledge to take control of their health and halt the disease’s progression.
“I learned so much,” Garcia shares. “I was eating out a lot, and didn’t understand how the different kinds of food I was eating could impact my health.”
After completing the program and inspired by the change in her own health, she set her sights on becoming a facilitator. In 2019, Garcia achieved her goal, leading groups in English and Spanish as both a DPP and ACT Get Up, Get Moving! (ACT) facilitator.
Also powered by Memorial Foundation supporters, ACT is an evidence-based program that educates youth and their families on how to lead healthy lifestyles nutritionally and physically. Offerings include cooking classes and gym memberships to help kids improve their health.
Today, Garcia uses her knowledge and personal experience to help others on their own health journeys as a Food for Life coach. Working in the Yakima School District full time, along with raising her children and caring for her family, she’s happy and appreciative of feeling energetic and healthy.
“It is incredibly rewarding to serve and connect with people; I never would have predicted this is what I would be doing, but now I just want to help any way I can,” Garcia explains. “If I can help someone prevent or halt their disease with the tools I’ve learned, then I’m grateful.”
Sustaining Yakima Valley’s health begins by ensuring everyone can access the tools and resources necessary to better their own health and well-being. Thanks to Memorial Foundation donors, community members like Garcia have access to diabetes education and nutrition programs, childhood obesity prevention and more.
