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Kat and Tom Take on Leadville for Elder Abuse!

Kat Gouldy and Tom Walin
Kat and Tom bike for elder abuse

Kathleen Gouldy and Tom Wallin are an Aliso Viejo couple and two of the Center of Excellence’s newest allies. They recently dared each other to embark on a mountain biking race in the name of preventing elder abuse.  

This isn’t a race for the faint-of-heart. Kat and Tom have chosen to take on the Leadville 100 MTB Race, one of the country’s most intense mountain-biking expeditions.  This 100-mile marathon will begin at 10,200 feet of elevation, descend to 9,000 feet, and climb across three mountains to a maximum elevation of 12,500 feet.

Kat is a 29-year-old Florida native who has always led an active lifestyle.  After completing graduate school, she traveled to California and began practicing as a Nurse Practitioner at South County Orthopedic Specialists in Laguna Woods. 

In the past three-and-a-half years Kat has been exposed to countless cases of blatant neglect and abuse of older adults. When her boyfriend Tom, a defense attorney and avid mountain biking enthusiast, entered both of them into the Leadville 100 Mountain Bike expedition, Kat seized the opportunity to raise money and awareness for a cause she believes in.  Tom is equally enthusiastic and committed to the cause. 

In order to bring about as much positive change as possible, Kat and Tom have turned their adventure into a competitive fundraiser. Both have created websites that allow donors to give directly to the Center of Excellence in honor of the millions of vulnerable seniors we hope to reach. 

The winner of the couple’s personal challenge will be presented with years of bragging rights, as well as our undying appreciation.  

Who do you think deserves to win? Check out their websites and decide for yourself!

Can Kat Do ItCan Tom Do It

 

You Can Help!  Here's How: 

We are trying to raise funds for elder abuse prevention and every dollar counts; all funds go directly to The Center of Excellence on Elder Abuse and Neglect at the UC Irvine School of Medicine. 

The Center’s mission is to promote aging with dignity and to eliminate aging in fear.  The organization’s work is achieved through direct service to clients and the professionals who serve them, and through training, advocacy and research. The Center relies exclusively on grant funding and individual donations. 

You can sponsor Tom and Kat by the mile, make a one-time donation, or even volunteer support both at the race and/or before the race.  

  • Donate $150 and get a custom T-Shirt or pint glass  
  • Donate $250 or more and get a custom T-Shirt and pint glass  
  • Become a corporate sponsor and get a logo on the Center’s website and on the T-Shirt. 

We have downloadable flyers to place in businesses to help raise awareness of elder abuse and to follow this amazing couple on Cantomdoit.com & Cankatdoit.com.

Tom and Kat are also in need of hotel/housing for the race …maybe even a camper for the trip to Colorado. 

To learn more about Wallin and Gouldy’s efforts, please visit Can Tom Do It? and Can Kat Do It? or call Thomas Wallin at 888.672.9191.  You can also follow their adventure on Facebook and tell your friends.   

The Leadville Trail 100-Mile Mountain Bike Race will take place on AUGUST 13, 2011.  

We're rooting for you, Tom and Kat!