For decades, Doug has shared the beautiful open spaces of California with us and brought attention to the remarkable people who are helping to protect them. Whether through his storytelling in countless episodes of Bay Area Backroads and Open Road or his personal time and energy spent at so many events, Doug always brings his enthusiasm, optimism, and insight to the betterment of our earth, our public lands, and our communities.
Now he and his wife Kathy need our help.
The button below will take you to a private Go Fund Me page for Doug.
IT BEGAN WITH A STROKE
On April 21, 2022, Doug suffered a stroke. His cognition, articulation and facial expression were untouched; however, his right side was severely impacted.
Because time was of the essence, friends and fans stepped in to ensure that Doug had what he needed to regain lost capacities. Funds were raised to cover expenses beyond those covered by Medicare: specialized neurologic care, extra therapy services, assistive devices,and modifications such as ramps and safety measures at his home.
Over the last year, with optimistic determination, Doug took advantage of the therapies possible, daily walks with friends, trips to the gym, specialist appointments, and whatever was asked of him. As a result, great strides were made. Walking (with assistance) became easier and balance improved, but the need for overnight care persisted and it was clear that the Road to Recovery was to be much longer than expected.
To prevent future strokes, Doug underwent surgery on March 7 th to remove a blockage in his carotid artery. The procedure was successful and timely; however, the blockage was much more extensive than anticipated resulting in a 6+ hour surgery. In addition, nerve damage impacted Doug’s speech and his ability to swallow, so he remained in the hospital for 3 nights. That seems to be improving and he is regaining his strength, but he is not able/ready to go home. He has been transferred to an acute rehab facility. This is definitely a setback in the progress that he had made. Doug continues to be optimistic and much of his strength comes from the love and support that you have all expressed.
UPDATE: A BIT OF A SETBACK
how can you help
All funds raised will go directly to pay for the medical facilities, therapies, assistive devices, and necessary homecare not covered by Medicare.
Please become a Companion of the Road and make a gift to Doug’s Road to Recovery
What can you do?
Give by check. Send a check payable to Doug McConnell to Doug’s Road to Recovery, 708 Gravenstein Highway Box 29, Sebastopol CA 95472 or you can deposit the check directly at any branch of Redwood Credit Union.
Give online. Click on the button below which will take you to a private GoFundMe page for Doug.
Share on social media: There are so many people who care about Doug yet are unaware that he needs our help. If you would like to continue to support Doug and Kathy, please help by sharing broadly on your social media sites.
Gifts are not tax deductible.
Who is involved
A group of Doug’s friends and colleagues have come together, with Doug and Kathy’s blessing, to reach out to the vast community of people who have been fortunate to know and work with Doug over the years. Together we can provide the financial support Doug will need.
We will routinely update this website with news on Doug’s progress and about the impact of your support. For questions or additional information, please contact Sally Bolger or Judy Scotchmoor.
Meet the members of the First Mile Club
Sally Bolger
Dave & Dixie Lindberg
Bernie & Kat Krause
Matt Leffert
Caryl Hart
Potrero Group
Louis Wirth
Walter Moore
Ed Clement
Don & Lynn Cohn
Charlotte & Ben Ruffner
Richard Dale
Dorene Schiro
Sam Hodder
Genny Biggs
Duane & Marcia Silverstein
Annie Burke
Jim Swanson
David Lewis
Michael Coumbe
Robert Doyle
Catch Creative
Justyn Schnupp
Megan Fluke
Jack Uhalde
Shawn Marshall
Randy Young
Dianne Fukami
Tina Snell
Susan Westbrook
Nancy Cole
George Arabian
Charles Levine
Sherry Bartolucci
Steve Andrews
Jane Keitner
John Maa
Jordan Knopf
Susan Rosenthal
Ruskin Hartley
Linda Moore
Benjamin Harwood
Werner Maasen
Greg Moore
Larie & Jim Flaherty
Michael Watkins
Pamela Koch
Stephen Kinsey
Gail Ross
Andres Alegria
Charles Stewart
Linda S Kuhns
Marianne Daft
Donna Hale
Mary Harrington
Cindy & Darryl Berk
Judy Scotchmoor
Sonoma Land Trust Board
Karen Collins
Peter Chaveas
Mary Whitaker
Kate Kelly-Klein
Seth Adams
George Dobbins
Don & Patty Neubacher
Jay Watson
John Drews
Mike Kahn
Ted & Boonsuay Clement
Suzanne Moss
Chris McNamara
Tom Leatherman
Sudha & Ed Pennathur
Nancy Painter
Julie Makrai
Laurel Pallock
Terry Kane Chinn
Marie & Eric Andel
Tom Rusert
Deirdre Holbrook
Mimi Towle
Beverly Galloway
Jane Robinson
Saul Macias
Leslie Alden
Suzanne Guyette
David Farrow
David Loeb
William Mott
Ralph Cagle
Jody Davies
Ann & Bill Thompson
Barbara Meislin & Stuart Kaplan
Beverly Lane
Ana Ruiz
Rosemary Cameron
Howard Levitt
Melinda Seaman
Patrick O’Brien
Suzanne & Guy Badenhoop
Jan Talbert
Frank Dean
Karen Larsen
Dennis & Aggie Bayer
Diane Talbert
Mary Marcussen
Anthony Hale
Wendy Tokuda
Jan Yanehiro
Mike Nickel
Sue Stewart
Marie & Charles McDevitt
Doug Hanford
Charlene Harvey
Mark Cederborg
Jennifer Bice
Simon & Kimberly Blattner
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Bruce & Lesli Lee Hartsough
William Corona
Babs Kavanaugh
Janette Gitler & Blair Gershkow
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Laura Thompson
Sheri Cardo
Allison Sanford
Steven Hightower
Frederic Happy
Ralph Mihan
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Lewis Stringer
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Green Foothills
Melanie Hogan
Michael Hoff
Andrew Leider
Craig Potter
Elaine B. Taylor
Wendy Coy
Elizabeth Adam
Gary & Cindy Traverso
Gary Clayton
Steven Rivera
Kurt Lindorfer
Taylor Samuelson
Craig Miller
Diane Postosky
Wendy Eliot
Dan Herz
Kathleen Mitchell
Sara Barth
Beryl Anderson
Margaret MacNiven
Nancy Lang
Jessica Romm
Scott Wasley
Constance Muir
Dave Herz
Larie Flaherty
Doug Linney
Peter Chaveas
Linda Varonin
Karen Larsen
Saul Macias
Steve Andrews
Ann Thompson
Going the Extra Mile Gang
Mary Jones
Tina Snell
Marsha Mather-Thrift
Patrick O’Brien
Margaret MacNiven
Gary Clayton
Kindley Lawlor
Mike Coumbe
Katherine & Bernie
Krouse
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Nan Eliott
Peter Chaveas
George and Rose Dobbins
Sheryl Bartolucci
James Wirth
Marsha Mather-Thrift
Michael Rosenthal
Deborah McCaughton
Howard Levitt
Robert Dicks
Katherine Beacock
Benjamin Harwood
Robert Caballero
Gee Kampmeyer
Judy Scotchmoor
Patrick O’Brien
Henry Tenenbaum
Alicia Cocchi
Andrea Mackenzie
Andrew Burns
Barbara Morse-Quinn
Bertrand Pellegrin
Biggs Family
Henry Tenenbaum
Koryn Pachla
Stacy Geiken
Joann Bagon
Vicki Gallegos
Koryn Pachla
Stacy Geiken
Joann Bagon
Vicki Gallegos
Kjell Svenson
Patricia McConnell
Patty and Don Neubacher
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Carl Somers
Paula Craig
Kevin G Knauss
Linda Winkler
Baywood Artists
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Kathy Adams
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Kathleen Figueroa