Decked out in custom-made racing gear, Natalie Sather motors the halls at
MeritCare Children's Hospital. Her feet power her – one clad in hot pink, the other in black. She carries a silver bag filled with fun stuff to give kids.
Natalie points to a hospital room. "That's where I spent a couple weeks after a really bad crash," she says. "I was 16 and broke my leg in three places."
But talk of past injuries isn't why she's here today. The 24-year-old NASCAR driver has returned to her hometown to give back, visiting hospitalized children and families.
"This is where I'd really like to make a difference," she says. "I'd love to help the kids."
Natalie upholds a strong tradition at MeritCare Children's Hospital: celebrity visits. Over the years they've included singer Marie Osmond, baseball great Kirby Puckett, hockey champion Matt Cullen, Bison football players, even RedHawks mascot "Hawkeye."
Celebrity visits increase awareness of the good work of MeritCare Children's Hospital and the
Children's Miracle Network. Even more important, the visits bring cheer to hospitalized children and help the healing process by adding fun. Even when sick or injured, kids can still be kids.
A kid with a dream
Natalie's dream of being a professional race car driver got the green flag at age 8. She raced go-karts, traveling with her mom, Tessa, to tracks across the region. In 2002 she graduated to sprint cars.
"My mom is still my biggest supporter. She's there at all my races," says Natalie. Her dad, Brad, owns Gateway Chevrolet and has been a role model in his longtime support of MeritCare Children's Hospital.
Among Natalie's milestones:
- Competed in the 2006 Miss North Dakota pageant during her off-season, winning second runner up.
- Finished in the Top Ten in the Knoxville Raceway Point Standings in 2008.
- Became the first woman to receive the 360 Rookie of the Year Award in 2008.
- Selected for NASCAR's Drive for Diversity Program in early 2009.
- Completed a successful 2009 season at Evergreen Speedway near Seattle, Wash., competing in the Whelen All-American Series and driving a Super Late Model car.
Soon Natalie will move to North Carolina where she'll advance to the next level of racing. But first, the kids …
Bringing smiles to patients
Two-year-old Brody Strahm, Fargo, arrives in the hospital playroom. His mom, Kelsey, parks his stroller in front of Natalie.
"Hey buddy," says Natalie, kneeling down. She shows him pictures of cars and he reaches for her black silky hair. She signs a T-shirt for him and he grabs the pen.
"He doesn't know much about racing, but his favorite movie is 'Cars,'" says Kelsey. "This is really fun for him."
Natalie's next stop: 16-year-old Jesse Graham from Fargo. Dressed in a RedHawks T-shirt and jeans, Jesse sits on his hospital bed awaiting word from his doctor on whether he can go home today. Instead he gets a visit from Natalie.
"Sweet," he says, looking at the racing T-shirts, cap and autographed pictures she gives him.
When Natalie offers temporary tattoos, he has a fast answer: "Only if they're cool."
For the next 15 minutes Jesse and Natalie talk cars, high school and baseball. They laugh and share stories.
And after the visit? "That was pretty awesome," says Jesse. "My friends might be kind of jealous."
For Natalie, the afternoon at MeritCare Children's Hospital marks the first lap in what she hopes will become her own tradition. "I'd love to come back," she says. "It's all about leaving a smile and brightening a day."
With a spirit as bright as her outfit, Natalie's goal will always put her in the winner's circle.