Amyloidosis‏

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"

Friday, April 1, 2011

Nice day of hiking today. 15 miles thru a winter wonderland. Camped at the Syler bald shelter at the base of Clingmans Dome. Tonights forecast 2 inches of snow and freezing temps. Bluegrass is heating rocks in the fire to put in his sleeping bag tonight! Good times
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4 comments:

  1. JrApril 1, 2011 at 11:27 PM

    That is some intense shit!! I look at you a whole new way now...maybe! Give me a call next stop. I think I know when I can meet you guys. Pinapple Express is back on later buddy. By the way nice posts.

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  2. Darren Meyer, Attorney at LawApril 2, 2011 at 7:46 AM

    Sounds pretty wild out there....keep on truckin. Megan and I want to meet you for a night or two when you get closer to or in va. My lazy ass isn't hiking but I am completely capable of drinking a few beers with you. Let us know a time frame when we can come and meet you. Stay warm and post some pics when you can. Have fun.

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  3. CourtneyApril 2, 2011 at 10:41 AM

    It's good to hear that you are staying warm, all of us up here in PA are wondering how the rocks in the sleeping bag work, it's such a neat idea:) we're headed back to VA tomorrow and will hopefully be coming back to some spring temps...miss u bro!

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  4. Red OakApril 5, 2011 at 5:23 PM

    Darren, be in Va in about three weeks, ill let you know a good spot we can meet up. Court, rocks in the sleeping bag works great!!!!! just dont get them to hot or you got a fire where you dont want one

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