Be Welcoming A stroke stole parts of Rosa Mercado’s life. You helped her get them back.

In December 2021, Rosa Mercado suffered a stroke that paralyzed her right side. She could no longer do what she loved, like work, drive or dance cumbia. Isolated and depressed, she spent two years in physical therapy but remained weak, reliant on a walker and afraid to leave her home for fear of falling.    

In March 2024, a friend invited Rosa to the Community Resource Center (CRC) at Adventist Health White Memorial. Despite her fear and limited mobility, she rode the bus to Adventist Health White Memorial and came to the CRC. There she participated in free exercise and Zumba classes, attended mental health workshops and even tried gardening. In time, Rosa found a community of support.    

By July, Rosa noticed dramatic improvements. She no longer needed physical therapy and her depression was gone. She now rides the bus with just her cane and, in September, did something she has never done before: completed her first 5K.  

Vanessa Ghilarducci, Rosa Mercado (center) with CRC team members Vanessa Ghilarducci (left) and Araceli Marquez (right).

In just three months at the CRC, Rosa experienced more incredible improvements in her health and well-being than she did during two entire years of physical therapy, but she’s not done dreaming: her next goals are to get behind the wheel and dance cumbia once more.   

You are part of Rosa’s story and thousands of others whose health has been transformed through Adventist Health White Memorial’s services and programs.  

Community Resource Center 

The CRC promotes community health and well-being through a variety of services offered to those in the community. In 2024, the CRC served the needs of more than 11,000 community members engaged with health, exercise and wellness workshops, events and other activities. Learn more on the Adventist Health White Memorial website.