Dear Friends and Family,
 

This October, I’m once again challenging myself to hike 30.1 miles in one day for cystic fibrosis as part of the Xtreme Hike, in support of the North Carolina Chapter—and most importantly, my granddaughter Livi.
 

This will be my fifth Xtreme Hike to Cure Cystic Fibrosis. That’s more than 450 miles (not including my training hikes)!
 

I recently turned 78, and while I’d love to be on the Appalachian Trail with my fellow Xtreme Hikers, I’ll be taking on a different—but-still grueling—challenge: my usual Urban Hike through Charlotte. Trust me, those city streets get harder with every mile. I think my fellow hikers would agree—it’s a different kind of "xtreme."
 

When Livi was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis in 2006, the average life expectancy was just 32 years. We were devastated. We didn’t know what the future would hold.
 

But today, Livi is 18—and her story is one of hope, resilience, and remarkable progress. Thanks to generous donors and events like the Xtreme Hike, we’ve seen amazing advancements in treatment.


In 2019, Livi began taking Trikafta, a breakthrough drug that targets the genetic cause of CF. Trikafta has changed Livi’s life. She became a lifeguard, reduced her daily treatments from two hours to a fraction of that, and even joined her high school flag football team—where she excelled!
 

This fall, Livi will be heading to the University of Florida to study engineering. Not long ago, people with CF often struggled to maintain jobs or go to college. That’s no longer the case—and Livi is proof.
 

She is focused, determined, strong-willed, and a natural leader. CF doesn’t define her—it challenges her. And she rises above it every single day.
 

Still, we have more work to do. Not all CF mutations have therapies yet, and there is still no cure. That’s why I continue to hike—for Livi, and for the day when CF stands for “Cure Found.”
 

If you’re able, I invite you to support my journey—mile by mile—by donating to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Every step I take and every dollar you give brings us closer to a world without CF.
 

To donate, just click the link or follow the instructions to mail a check.
 

Thank you for your continued love and support. I’ll keep you updated on my training and my hike! 

With deep gratitude, 
Jean & Dave Jones 

*Please mail checks to the following* 

ATTN: Fall Xtreme Hike 
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation North Carolina Chapter 
4600 Park Road Suite 100, Charlotte NC 28209
Notes: Hiker - Jean Jones