We continue to hike for Maeve Leonard who lost her battle with cystic fibrosis at the age of 14 years old while awaiting her second, double lung transplant in 2019. Maeve would have been turning 20 and been in college this year and her story fuels our passion and commitment as we lace up our boots and set out on these challenging trails.

Each step taken and every mile traveled is a tribute to Maeve and all those who have faced the challenges of cystic fibrosis.

And so we hike on. This year, I am embarking on my first National Xtreme Hike adventure by hiking Rim to Rim at the Grand Canyon—a challenging 24-mile trek in a single day on September 27th. I will be joined by my Xtreme Hike counterpart, Amos, who played a pivotal role in establishing the Xtreme Hike initiative, our “why we hike” guy, Peter Barry – in honor of his son, and longtime friend and OG hiker Doug Bollermann. The band is back together for a good time, not for a long time, and we have a lofty goal of $50,000 between us and 10 other hikers on our team.

I do this because I wholeheartedly believe that we will find a cure for cystic fibrosis one day. Each hike, each fundraiser, and each shared story brings us one step closer to that reality. The journey is challenging, but the strength and resilience of those affected by cystic fibrosis inspire us to push forward. We are fueled by the memory of Maeve and the countless others who fight bravely every day and we carry with us the hopes and dreams of a future where cystic fibrosis is no longer a life sentence but a story of survival and triumph. With every mile we conquer, we remember that our strides are not just for ourselves, but for a community united in purpose and passion.

Please share a word of encouragement with me or make a donation in support of this cause. Your donation is 100% tax-deductible. Every contribution, whether a kind word or a generous donation, fuels our determination and hope. It’s the collective spirit of supporters like you that keeps us moving forward.