Creative Commuter

Brief

Helen Crawford Photo by Todd McNaught

Name: Helen Crawford

Job: Program assistant, Transplantation Biology, Clinical Research Division

Commutes from: ShorelineAlternative commuting choice: Walking, HutchPass, ferry

Why I chose to commute this way: Crawford spent several years living on Bainbridge Island and commuting by ferry and feet to and from Fred Hutchinson. Her former commute involved walking about five miles a day. By zig-zagging through downtown as the lights changed, she said, she rarely had to stop and got a great workout.

These days, living in Shoreline, she still walks. "I walk half a mile to my bus in the morning, then another mile or so to work from downtown. So, conservatively, that's two miles a day," she said.

"I chose to walk a long time ago basically because I wanted to get in shape. Driving was never an option, because it was too expensive."

When Crawford started working at Fred Hutchinson in 1998, she rode the bus. "Let me make this clear: I definitely love the HutchPass regardless of how I commute!" But her long commute left little time in the evening for exercise. "So I thought I'd kill two birds with one stone by walking! Another plus — walking gives Crawford an opportunity to photograph subjects of interest at a relaxed pace.

Center News Table of Contents