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Wellness Week Speaker Shares Message of Purpose
During Wellness Week in January, the school welcomed Kate Doerge, founder of Penny’s Flight Foundation, who addressed the entire community in Werner Centennial Center with a powerful presentation centered on resilience, serving others, and turning adversity into action. Doerge shared the story of her daughter, Penny, whose life and legacy inspired the creation of the nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing research for neurofibromatosis (NF) and empowering young people to make a difference.
Penny Doerge was diagnosed in infancy with NF, a genetic condition that can cause tumors to grow throughout the body and currently has no cure. Despite ongoing medical challenges, Doerge said, “Penny lived a big, bright, and beautiful life.” Penny passed away at age 16, but her love of art, music, and friendship is intrinsic to the spirit of the foundation her parents created in her name.
Doerge spoke candidly about grief and choosing to go “heart-first” into their goal of honoring Penny’s legacy. “We decided we had a choice on how we could play the cards that we were dealt in life,” she said. “We could fall apart in the sadness of her loss, or we could turn our pain into purpose and reach for the light, just as Penny did.”
Founded in 2022, Penny’s Flight has raised more than $6 million to support scientific research while building awareness of an underrecognized disease. The organization also empowers students through more than 100 middle school, high school, and college chapters across the country, encouraging advocacy, service, and community engagement.
Throughout her remarks, Doerge challenged students to consider how small, consistent actions can create meaningful change. “It’s not your lifespan that matters,” she said. “It’s your wingspan—what you do with your big, beautiful life and how you impact others.” Her positive message during Wellness Week offered students a compelling reminder that connection, compassion, and purpose are essential to our overall well-being.
During Chapel the next day, the John Hay Society held an offertory with all student and community donations going towards Penny’s Flight Foundation.
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Penny Doerge was diagnosed in infancy with NF, a genetic condition that can cause tumors to grow throughout the body and currently has no cure. Despite ongoing medical challenges, Doerge said, “Penny lived a big, bright, and beautiful life.” Penny passed away at age 16, but her love of art, music, and friendship is intrinsic to the spirit of the foundation her parents created in her name.
Doerge spoke candidly about grief and choosing to go “heart-first” into their goal of honoring Penny’s legacy. “We decided we had a choice on how we could play the cards that we were dealt in life,” she said. “We could fall apart in the sadness of her loss, or we could turn our pain into purpose and reach for the light, just as Penny did.”
Founded in 2022, Penny’s Flight has raised more than $6 million to support scientific research while building awareness of an underrecognized disease. The organization also empowers students through more than 100 middle school, high school, and college chapters across the country, encouraging advocacy, service, and community engagement.
Throughout her remarks, Doerge challenged students to consider how small, consistent actions can create meaningful change. “It’s not your lifespan that matters,” she said. “It’s your wingspan—what you do with your big, beautiful life and how you impact others.” Her positive message during Wellness Week offered students a compelling reminder that connection, compassion, and purpose are essential to our overall well-being.
During Chapel the next day, the John Hay Society held an offertory with all student and community donations going towards Penny’s Flight Foundation.
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