Double Digits

Last Saturday I completed my second training hike. It was at South Mountains State Park in Connelly Springs, NC. It's about an hour and a half drive from Charlotte. The drive was beautiful and the park was even better. Definitely a place to visit if ever in the area. The training hike was 10 miles and I hiked an extra mile to go to the waterfall that is in the park. There are streams that run all throughout the park. Along the hike we had to cross 3 streams. Because of the rain we had earlier that week they were more like rivers. The first one was in the beginning of the hike and I had to take my boots off to cross so I wouldn't have to walk with wet feet the whole way. The water was freezing. There was even a plank we had to walk over to cross one of the ravines. The hike was a long uphill climb following by a steep descent. It was tough but so rewarding the complete. I brought Homer along and he did great. I was shocked he made it the whole way. He loved playing in the water and we shared a peanut butter sandwich at the waterfall. He loved it. Below are pictures of the park.

The experience so far has been great. I love being outside and getting to see things that I otherwise wouldn't have taken the time to see but it's important to remember the reason I'm out there. It's not  for myself but to help Wish Kids. It's saddening to think that something as simple as going for a hike on Saturday is something they most likely won't be able to do. Every kid should have the chance to be outside and explore the world instead of having to spend their days in a hospital bed. Every week I receive an email about a Wish Kid from the area. This week the Wish Kid was Lizzie. Here is her story:

Wish kid Lizzie’s nervous system disorder has dampened her sight but has enhanced her sense of sound, filling her world with beautiful music. A fan of most music genres, Lizzie has a special attachment to Christian music and knew she wanted to spend her wish immersed in that world. The best opportunity for her to hear many of her favorite artists in one place was to go on the K-Love music cruise, a four-night cruise to the Bahamas showcasing some of the best up and coming Christian music artists.

Her dad recounts the trip by saying, "Words cannot express how amazing Lizzie’s wish trip was. She had such an amazing week. We even got to meet a couple other wish families. Dozens of total strangers commented on how happy she was and how great it was to be around her. She had the time of her life and we are so very grateful for Make-A-Wish for providing something for her that we never would have been able to do."

 Kids like Lizzie are the real reason I'm choosing to take the Trailblaze Challenge. Without donations, wishes aren't able to be granted. Please help me in my journey and donate. Donate Here Thank you, without you none of this would be possible!!

Crowder's Mountain Trail Hike

On Saturday, February 14, 2015, Homer (my dog) and I drove to Crowder's Mountain, approximately 45 minutes from my apartment. I had hiked this mountain once before last Summer. Crowder's Mountain has great, well marked trails and an amazing overlook at the top. Our training hike started at 9 a.m. and it was chilly! When the hike started the temperature was just above freezing. Despite the cold weather it was a beautiful day.

The hike was a 5 mile loop. We started our hike near the top of the mountain and hiked down Crowder's trail. This trail is relatively flat with rolling hills. Once at the bottom of the mountain we got on the Rocktop Trail. This trail is very steep and rocky, as the name would suggest. I was happy when I made it to the top of the mountain to see the overlook. It makes the hard hike worth it. Homer was happier when we got back in the car to drive home. He was exhausted.

Here are some pictures from the top of the overlook:

Inspiration is Everywhere

Wow! a HUGE thank you to everyone that has already donated to my Donation Page. In just one day we've raised $215. 

One of the awesome donors shared a story with me that I would like to pass along to everyone else:

"My son was engaged to a young lady who had an 8 year old son with a fatal liver problem.  It required a transplant and after 2 years of searching, they were still unable to find a matching donor.  In the last few weeks, he submitted a request to Make-A-Wish that he wanted to attend a Red Sox game in Boston and meet with their star pitcher before he died.  Even though he was weak, the foundation flew him up to Boston (escorted by a nurse) where he attended one of their games (front seats to field).  The whole team engaged with him for over 2 hours after the game in the locker room.  The pitcher even had dinner with him.  He was a VERY happy little boy.

 Luckily, they were able to find a matching liver donor for him at the last minute.  He lived for another 8 years.  His new liver eventually was rejected by his body and he did die.  But the memory of what they did stayed with him for a long time. "

Thank you to the donor that shared their story! Inspirational stories of how Make-A-Wish has helped enrich the lives of wish kids are everywhere. Stories likes these are why I continue to raise awareness for Make-A-Wish. Make-A-Wish will grant many wishes this year but there are still more kids that could benefit from a wish but may not receive one. With your help we can reach more kids and grant more wishes.

If you have a story about Make-A-Wish that you would like to share please let me know and I will share here on the blog. 

Hike Kick-Off

On February 7, 2014 my journey to the big hike began with a kick-off hike at Reedy Creek Park in Charlotte, NC. We hiked a 3 mile loop through the park and also learned about a little girl from Charlotte named Arriana, who at a very young age was diagnosed with Lymphoma. Her wish was to go on a Carribean Cruise and on July 21, 2013 her wish came true.

Here is what the wish granters of Make-A-Wish said about Arriana:

"Arriana is a delightful you girl who, according to her wish granters, was all smiles when they visisted her at Levine Children's Hospital. Despite the fact thta her chemotherapy started the following day, "She was very excited to see us and smiled from ear to ear..."

In her spare time, Arriana likes to listen to music, color, and make beautiful things - she loves arts and crafts! She's very close to her family who has been by her side since the beginning of her medical journey.

Arriana likes Jolly Ranchers, Hello Kitty, her yorkie named Fudge, crafting, and the Carolina Pathers. Arriana also loves swimming, sand, the color turquoise and anything "pretty and tropical". All of her favorite things led her to her one, true wish... to go on a Carribean Cruise!

Arriana and her family were able to leave behind medical tratments and hospital visits to enjoy carefee, sunny days with each other on the gorgeous ocean."

To watch a video about Arriana's wish click here.

Welcome, now let's make a difference

 

I am participating in the Make-A-Wish Trailblaze Challenge to raise funds and grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich their lives with hope, strength and joy. On May 9, 2015, I will hike 28.3 miles of the Foothills Trail in an effort to grant more wishes to children in Central and Western North Carolina. My goal is to raise $2,500 and I know that with your help I can acheive and exceed this goal!

Wishes have shown to be one of the best medicines for a child with a life-threatening illness. In fact, 96 percent of health professionals observe an increases in a wish kids' emotional health after the wish has been granted and 86 percent say they believe a wish can influence the wish kids' physical health. A wish is able to bring hope and joy to a child during a time in their lives when these are hard to find.

In addition to my fund raising page, I want to use this page to share stories of kids that have been helped through granted wishes and keep everyone updated on my journey to the 28.3 mile hike. Please join me and together we can grant wishes and make a difference in a childs' life.

If you would like to donate, please visit my donation page here.