The Community Hospice

More than 1,100 walkers turned out Saturday to honor or remember a loved one and to support The Community Hospice's 25th Annual Walk for Hospice. The event raised more than $160,000. Among the walkers were Racquel Stewart and her son Romari Allison (left pic) who walked in memory of Racquel's big brother Roan (right pic).

Roan passed in July 2025 after a courageous battle with lung cancer. He had been diagnosed in 2019 but he kept it from Racquel until the cancer spread to his brain and throughout his body. When Roan entered into care with The Community Hospice last year, she moved him into her home with her three kids, vowing to take care of him. Hospice provided supplies, a shower chair, and other necessities to support Racquel in her mission. "I changed him, bathed him, and fed him," she says. "I wanted those moments with him.” Racquel also sought the help of a Hospice grief counselor to deal with her own pain. “The first few weeks I was crying and crying, and then I was mad, but talking has helped."

With her newfound strength, Racquel realized that she wanted to care for others the way she cared for Roan. She trained to become a Hospice volunteer as well as a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant). Inspired by her brother, today Racquel works as a CNA caring for residents at the Eddy Memorial Geriatric Center in Troy. Congratulations, Racquel. Roan would be so proud!