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"

Monday, July 11, 2011

Zero Day with the Johnson Family

It was an excellent weekend complete with good food and great family. Friday afternoon we were caught in a huge thunderstorm hiking down Mt. Everett. We arrived at the trailhead soaking wet where Uncle Chuck was waiting. He drove us back to his hunting camp a couple miles away where we got some much needed hot showers and dry cloths. The weekend consisted of eating, eating, and then eating some more. Bluegrass said it best, "food drunk." The food was magnificent and the company even better. My aunt and uncle sure know how to take care of thru hikers. We got back on the trail Sunday morning loaded down with sandwiches and leftover bacon from breakfast. Everyone regretted not packing out some of Chucks pulled pork. After 17 miles of hiking we laid in an empty shelter reminiscing about the great food and good times. Definitely a weekend to remember. Life is good! Thanks Chuck "deer pimp" and Charlie "mrs. Deer pimp." Maine or bust!
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1 comment:

  1. CharliJuly 14, 2011 at 2:46 PM

    We had an awesome time too and we really enjoyed meeting your friends. Wish we could have spent more time with you, but we understand that the end of the trail was calling you guys. Loved hearing about all the hikers you have met and wonderful people who have hosted you guys along the trail. Hope to see you again in less than 3wks. I love you and am very proud of you:)

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