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"

Sunday, May 1, 2011

This morning we awoke to sounds of thunder in the distance. As I finished breakfast and pulled on my pack the storm was over us. Walked thru rain most of the morning. In the middle of a wide open pasture the storm kicked up big time. Hail and rain poured on us. If that wasn't enough, 3 big climbs today. We set up camp on Chester knob, tired from a long day. Just before dark a local hiker arrived with pizzas and soda. He hiked ten miles just to bring us dinner!
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3 comments:

  1. JrMay 1, 2011 at 9:48 PM

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  2. JrMay 1, 2011 at 9:50 PM

    That is awesome how that guy hiked up there to bring you guys pizza. Those are the type of people we need in the world...

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  3. CharliMay 2, 2011 at 8:28 AM

    WOW! How great is that!! How did he know where you would be? Pizza twice in a week. Do you feel like you are on top of the world? Hope you are enjoying the supplies. Did you try the salmon and fettuccini yet? I'm curious to know if it worked and if you liked. Luv you! Aunt Charli

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