In 2007 my father, Dennis Blake, was diagnosed with a rare blood disease, Amyloidosis. After years of battling the disease, the correct diagnosis was finally given less then a week before he passed. Amyloidosis is a rare blood disease that can affect one or more organs when abnormal deposits of the amyloid protein are produced. It is debilitating and life threatening. The disease meant nothing to my family weeks before we first heard the word, and then it defined the rest of our lives. It is only in the last 25 years that physicians have started to understand the disease. I have been hiking the Appalachian trail for a little more then a month. Hiking 8 to 12 hours a day, I have had plenty of time to think of my father and what kind of differences I could make in his name. I would love to make this epic adventure about more then myself. The amyloidosis foundation's mission is to increase education and awareness in hopes that it will lead to earlier diagnosis and improved treatment. My goal is to raise $1,000 in the name of my father. I have roughly 200 miles left. Just one penny per mile adds up to $20 when I complete the trail of 2,000 miles. If anybody would like to donate a small amount per every mile I complete, then I am confident that I can reach my goal.
Here are the directions and the page link for the donations:
Check "In memory of" and add my father's name "Dennis Blake"
Monday, March 28, 2011
Stayed in my bag till nearly 10 this morning! Forgot what it was like to sleep in. The rain eventually let up but the fog blocked all the views on our way to Locust Cove campsite. 9 mile day. Slacking big time, 15 miles tomorrow! Livin the dream!
Also, my momma and dad said to text them when you get close to TN... they will bring you whatever you need... supplies... food... they said they'll even take you back to their house if you need a warm place to stay for a night but they're not sure if you'd want to leave the trail... I think they said they're 45 mins. off the trail. Here's my mom's cell... 865-386-1988
"THE GREAT OUTDOORS!!!" - Strawberry (Up In Smoke I believe. Anyways, gotta love the humor of nature bro. Just in case i haven't said this to you lately but you are the man. Try to stay dry out there and keep on truckin'. -Bishop
not sure 9 miles is slacking son, but if u say so..!hope the sun shines on u guys tomorrow! love u, keep the faith!!
ReplyDeleteLove it!! Keep on truckin :)
ReplyDeleteSo proud of you both... tell Thomas his "sis" loves him.... love you too Matt!
ReplyDelete—Amy
Also, my momma and dad said to text them when you get close to TN... they will bring you whatever you need... supplies... food... they said they'll even take you back to their house if you need a warm place to stay for a night but they're not sure if you'd want to leave the trail... I think they said they're 45 mins. off the trail.
ReplyDeleteHere's my mom's cell...
865-386-1988
Or call them when you get to Hot Springs, NC. That's near them too.
ReplyDelete"THE GREAT OUTDOORS!!!" - Strawberry (Up In Smoke I believe. Anyways, gotta love the humor of nature bro. Just in case i haven't said this to you lately but you are the man. Try to stay dry out there and keep on truckin'.
ReplyDelete-Bishop
Matt, can you post some pictures or video? I'm sure folks would love to see what you are seeing!
ReplyDeleteHope all is well....going to PA this weekend, if u get a chance I would love to hear from you :) will be with Nat and John in Erie!
ReplyDelete