New York Times bestselling author Cheryl Strayed will serve as the keynote speaker for the 14th Annual Heroes of Hospice luncheon, Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB) has announced.
The event will be 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27 at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort.
The Heroes of Hospice luncheon is HSB’s signature annual fundraising and community recognition event, honoring local individuals and organizations whose compassion and service strengthen the Santa Barbara community.
With the theme “One Wild and Precious Life,” this year’s Heroes of Hospice event celebrates the everyday moments that quietly become life’s greatest treasures, and the people who make them unforgettable, organizers said.
“Inspired by Mary Oliver’s timeless question, the luncheon invites guests to reflect on love, resilience, hope, and the everyday experiences that ultimately remind us what matters most,” they said.
In her writings, Strayed has explored those themes with honesty and compassion.
“Every day at Hospice of Santa Barbara, we are reminded that the moments people cherish most are often the simplest ones — a conversation around the dinner table, a walk with someone they love, or an ordinary afternoon together,” said David Selberg, CEO of Hospice of Santa Barbara.
“While we often spend our lives searching for extraordinary moments, Cheryl’s writing reminds us of the extraordinary found in everyday life,” he said. “Her wisdom, authenticity, and lived experience make her the perfect person to help our community reflect on what truly matters and inspire us to embrace our own one wild and precious life.”
Strayed is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller “Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail,” which was adapted into the Academy Award-nominated film starring Reese Witherspoon.
Strayed’s bestselling collection “Tiny Beautiful Things,” based on her “Dear Sugar” advice columns, was adapted into a Hulu limited series and continues to be performed as a stage production in theaters nationwide.
Her other works include the novel “Torch” and bestselling collection “Brave Enough,” featuring more than 100 of her most inspiring quotations.
With more than five million books sold worldwide and translations in over 40 languages, Strayed has become an influential voice on grief, courage, love and resilience, HSB said.
Her award-winning essays have appeared in The New York Times, Washington Post Magazine, Vogue, and The Best American Essays.
She hosted the podcasts “Dear Sugar” and “Sugar Calling,” and currently hosts the weekly podcast “Mind Over Mountain” for the iHeart Women’s Sports network.
Proceeds from the luncheon support HSB”s free counseling, grief support, and patient care services for children, teens, adults and families facing the impact of serious illness or the loss of a loved one.