In 2017, I lost my loving step-father, "Dr. Bill" to blood cancer. Now, I am going to run, walk and hike 5,000 miles for a cure! That's right, 5,000 miles- and I challenge you to match me with dollars to miles. The miles have already begun with the first day of the New Year, with 19 miles covered to ring in 2019!
Dr. Bill took me on my first backpacking trip, and instilled in me a love of nature and caring for others. His disease was distressing and difficult for those close to him; the onset was swift, and the lymphoma spread to his central nervous system, giving us little time with him. My step-father died too early, fought hard to keep living, and my family and I went through trying times advocating and caring for him through his disease.
Since his passing, his memory has inspired me to change my career path into health care, and to dedicate my athletic endeavors to raising funds to find a cure for blood cancer: lask year, I hiked 2,600 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, while fundraising for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). I have dedicated my body, mind, and feet to research and education towards the goal of improved treatments and cures for blood cancers, which affect so many people's lives.
This year, join me as I take on the challenge of covering 5,000 in the year 2019 on foot! Any donation is greatly appreciated, and will go straight to LLS's efforts in funding research, grant programs and education towards finding cures and treatment for blood cancers. I took on the challenge of 5,000 miles, now I challenge you to match me with your pocket change. Let's fight blood cancers together.
