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"
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Photos from the Trail - May 2011
Here are some photos taken from the trail over the past few weeks.
The photos came out great! I picked out about 90 to publish, but there are a bunch more that are good. I am saving all of the photos for you to view later!
Hi Matt, Awesome pictures!! Loved the slideshow. Can't wait to see you in MA and ME. I am so proud of you and what you are accomplishing:) Keep having fun above all else and stay safe. Love you and miss you:( Aunt Charli
Hi Matt,
ReplyDeleteThe photos came out great! I picked out about 90 to publish, but there are a bunch more that are good. I am saving all of the photos for you to view later!
Maine or bust!
Chuck
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi Matt,
ReplyDeleteAwesome pictures!! Loved the slideshow. Can't wait to see you in MA and ME. I am so proud of you and what you are accomplishing:) Keep having fun above all else and stay safe. Love you and miss you:(
Aunt Charli
Absolutely love the photos... but I am a tad concerned about #91!
ReplyDeleteAMY
Umm...yes #91....sabertooth loves posing in the background of my pics!
ReplyDelete