73-Year-Old Educator Embarks on Personal Challenge to Cycle 3,100 Miles to Raise $200,000 for WOC Nursing Scholarships

MT LAUREL, N.J., Oct. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- In 73 years, Dr. Katherine Jeter has never backed down from a challenge. When her young son required an ostomy, she not only provided specialized care, she reached out to assist others in similar situations. Even after battling a personal health crisis, she recovered and focused on what she could do for others. Her latest challenge is to increase the number of nurses trained to meet the unique needs of Wound, Ostomy and Continence patients. A pioneer in the Wound, Ostomy and Continence (WOC) Nursing field, Dr. Jeter has vowed to cycle 3,100 miles cross country to raise awareness and money for WOC Nursing. WOCN's Cycling for Scholarships begins March 4, 2011, but this month she kicked off the fundraiser by donating $500 to the cause, encouraging anyone whose life has been touched by a WOC Nurse to follow her lead.

WOC Nurses and an Aging Population

The statistics are startling. By the year 2030, the number of adults in the U.S., age 65 and older, will increase by more than 30 million. With age comes age-related conditions, many of which require the special knowledge of a WOC Nurse.

Millions of dollars are spent annually caring for chronic wounds and demand for skilled wound nurses is on the rise. Furthermore, patients with ostomy and continence needs are increasing. Without skilled and compassionate care, the physical and psychological anguish ostomy and continence patients endure can be overwhelming. To ensure more nurses enter the WOC specialization, it is critical that scholarship money for continuing education be available. Programs like WOCN's Cycling for Scholarships encourage nurses to pursue advanced training.

Are You Up to the $500 Challenge?

Do you know someone who has struggled with wound, ostomy or continence related issue? Have you benefited from the care of a WOC specialist? Would you like to help those afflicted with these conditions receive quality care? Then join Dr. Jeter in her quest to establish a sustaining scholarship fund and answer her call to action! Donate to the WOCN's Cycling for Scholarships at www.wocnfoundation.org.

About Dr. Katherine Jeter

Dr. Katherine Jeter is a world renowned educator, writer and expert in WOC practice. Her "serious" cycling career began in 2007 at the age of 69. Now retired, at age 73, she chose the WOCN Society Foundation Scholarship Fund as the benefiting charity of her cross-country tour, which begins March 4, 2011 in San Diego, CA and concludes April 29 in Saint Augustine, FL.

About the WOCN

The WOCN Society, a professional nursing society, promotes educational, clinical and research opportunities to advance the practice and guide the delivery of expert health care to individuals with wounds, ostomies and incontinence.  Membership includes more than 4,700 healthcare professionals. For more information visit www.wocn.org.

EDITOR'S NOTE: TO INTERVIEW DR. JETER OR VIEW HER ITINERARY, CONTACT BETH DROST (215) 884-6499.

SOURCE WOCN Society

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