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, June 20, 2011
The Pinnacle
Im halfway thru a 26 mile day, taking a siesta at Eckville Shelter. Sabertooth and I were on the trail by 6 and at the summit of the pinnacle shortly after for sunrise. Terrain was tough but exceptionally scenic this morning.
This is absolutely gorgeous!! Don't know how far up you are at this point but want u to know threat is high for tornados today...stay safe. Xoxo
ReplyDeleteHi Matt! Beautiful picture! I hope you got your drop and that it is all ok. Take care and be safe. Love you, Aunt Charli
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