My Xtreme Hike Story
Chris Heidenrich
Fundraising for Metro DC Xtreme Hike 2026
Chris Heidenrich
For the 12th year, I’m hiking in the Appalachian mountains of Virginia for a cure of cystic fibrosis! The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Xtreme Hike team is hiking 15 fierce miles in one day Sept. 26 at Wintergreen ski resort. Can you help by donating to my campaign to raise $2,500?
CF is a genetic, life-shortening disease that devastates the lungs, pancreas, and other vital organs by producing thick, sticky mucus that affects digestion and lung function. CF makes it difficult to breathe and fight life-threatening infections, often leading to extensive lung damage and respiratory failure.
I hike in honor of my niece Erin, a first-grade teacher, and in memory of my niece Colleen, who died of CF at just 16 years old in 2013. Colleen lived her life to the fullest, playing sports, going to dances, and acting in plays, while bravely facing many challenges from CF, such as diabetes, a collapsed lung, and a feeding tube. Colleen's hometown of Munster, Indiana, was decked out in purple, the color of CF, when she died. Erin is 32, and thanks to the game-changing treatment Trikafta, which treats CF at a genetic level, Erin is the healthiest she's ever been. She's avoided hospitalization for infection, has increased strength and stamina, and is breathing easier. She went from looking into a lung transplant to running a 5K race and hasn't looked back!
Trikafta is the next best thing to a cure, but a cure is still needed. Erin will need to take numerous daily medications for the rest of her life, and the median age of survival for someone born with CF today is 61 -- still too short!
While progress has been made, a long road lies ahead for far too many people fighting this terrible disease. We need a cure so that everyone with CF has a better chance to live a long, healthy life. By donating to my fundraising goal, you have the power to advance the research and science needed to drive our shared dream forward – a cure for everyone with CF.
Thanks to everyone who has placed their faith in me the previous 11 years and has encouraged me in this massive feat of physical strength through your tax-deductible donation. I love that my body continues to meet the challenge.
CF is a genetic, life-shortening disease that devastates the lungs, pancreas, and other vital organs by producing thick, sticky mucus that affects digestion and lung function. CF makes it difficult to breathe and fight life-threatening infections, often leading to extensive lung damage and respiratory failure.
I hike in honor of my niece Erin, a first-grade teacher, and in memory of my niece Colleen, who died of CF at just 16 years old in 2013. Colleen lived her life to the fullest, playing sports, going to dances, and acting in plays, while bravely facing many challenges from CF, such as diabetes, a collapsed lung, and a feeding tube. Colleen's hometown of Munster, Indiana, was decked out in purple, the color of CF, when she died. Erin is 32, and thanks to the game-changing treatment Trikafta, which treats CF at a genetic level, Erin is the healthiest she's ever been. She's avoided hospitalization for infection, has increased strength and stamina, and is breathing easier. She went from looking into a lung transplant to running a 5K race and hasn't looked back!
Trikafta is the next best thing to a cure, but a cure is still needed. Erin will need to take numerous daily medications for the rest of her life, and the median age of survival for someone born with CF today is 61 -- still too short!
While progress has been made, a long road lies ahead for far too many people fighting this terrible disease. We need a cure so that everyone with CF has a better chance to live a long, healthy life. By donating to my fundraising goal, you have the power to advance the research and science needed to drive our shared dream forward – a cure for everyone with CF.
Thanks to everyone who has placed their faith in me the previous 11 years and has encouraged me in this massive feat of physical strength through your tax-deductible donation. I love that my body continues to meet the challenge.
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