Sometimes people are bridges who connect other people to each other or folks to distant places.

Sewickley native Pete Noll, a 1992 graduate of Quaker Valley High School, seeks to be such a bridge between those in his hometown and the surrounding Pittsburgh area and the people of Oaxaca, Mexico, where he currently lives, through a benefit 5K race in North Park on Oct. 2.

Noll is the executive director and former board member of TASH Inc., a nonprofit that supports La Clinica del Pueblo and partner organizations in Oaxaca.

One hundred percent of the proceeds from the race will help the poorest people in Oaxaca access health care during the continuing crisis of the covid-19 pandemic.

During the past 18 months, a lot more attention has been given to the essential frontline health workers.

“I feel much gratitude for all those involved in the common good. While I grew up in Sewickley, I have now lived in Central America and southern Mexico since 1997, except for my graduate studies at Carnegie Mellon,” Noll said. “However, I will be back to be a part of the 13th annual Olé 5k Benefit race to support The ‘Anna Seethaler’ Hospital (La Clinica del Pueblo) in Oaxaca, Mexico.”

Oaxaca is located in southern Mexico. It is home to 40% of the indigenous languages spoken in the country — 58% of the people speak an indigenous language compared to the national average of 15%. Noll said Oaxaca possesses gorgeous mountains and coastline, plus world-renowned food and culture. The biodiversity in Oaxaca is recognized internationally by UNESCO.

It is also one of the most economically poor states in Mexico. Its diversity is co-existing with a lack of access to education, basic health services and employment. It is often shocking to imagine a context that has so much potential, yet its people survive off a daily minimum wage of $5.

In 1998, fellow Pittsburgher Father Scott Seethaler visited Oaxaca for the first time. He was immediately taken by the kindness and humility of the people, but he also could not ignore the enormous need for basic and quality healthcare. It is from this visit that La Clinica was born.

What started as a modest medical clinic has grown into a full-service hospital that has now treated more than 180,000 low-income patients. Oaxaca has a population of 3.8 million people, and since March 2020, it has reported 70,500 cases — 1.8% of the population — who have tested positive for covid-19, and reports a mortality rate of .0125%. Oaxaca has the lowest number of ICU beds in the country, totaling only 60 for the entire state population.

Noll said that the nonprofit hospital has had 10 staff take leave with covid-19 and 85 detected positive cases in patients. Despite the inherent risks caused by daily contact, the team continues to stay motivated and keep its doors open 24/7 to serve others.

“On a summer trip back to Pittsburgh, I brought my wife and two children up from Mexico. When I took them on the Pittsburgh Gateway Clipper, the guide shared that we have over 400 physical bridges. As a metaphor, it inspires me to build bridges of solidarity between those in Oaxaca and Pittsburgh,” Noll said.

At the conclusion of the Olé 5K, there will be a Mexican buffet, Oaxaca grown organic coffee, smoothies, 50/50 raffle, music and an awards ceremony.

The Ole 5K takes place at 10 a.m. Oct. 2 at North Park’s Harmar Grove Pavilion at Pie Traynor. Registration is $25 and $20 for the virtual race. For more information or to register, visit tashinc.org/ole5k/race-inco.

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