Our Xtreme Hike Story
Nicole Spooner
Nicole Spooner
Greetings Struttin (& Puttin) loyal supporters.
As we head into our 13th year of fundraising for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, (and the realization that we will have a teenager in our home this year!), we have decided to do something BIG when it comes to showing our passion for helping this incredible cause and the community of people affected by this disease. We are going to set aside the golf clubs and our Puttin For Sutton event for the 2025 year, and once again…STRUT for SUT…but in a more EXTREME way!
The Grand Canyon gets over five million annual visitors each year, but roughly 1% of those people attempt to hike it rim to rim…and some would say the craziest of them all…hike it in ONE day.
The Cystic Fibrosis Grand Canyon Xtreme Hike is like no other Xtreme Hike. Its HOT. It’s HARD. It’s LONG, and it can be dangerous. The Xtreme hike starts on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, where participants will descend 4,380 feet in 9.3 miles, and then ascend another 1500 feet over 7 miles through “The Box” of the Canyon. After 17 miles of hiking, the most challenging stretch still lies ahead with the last 7 miles climbing an additional 4000ft to the North Rim…totaling almost 24 miles in what will take approximately 14 hours.
We have decided that we are about to embark on what may be one of the most physical commitments of our life. It will be an adventure of PASSION, DETERMINATION, STRENGTH, and PERSONAL TRIUMPH all in the name of fundraising, raising awareness, and continuing our mission to help find a cure for all those living with Cystic Fibrosis.
Sutton continues to live a healthy life with minimal complications from his CF related disease, but not all those we have come to know and love over the last, almost thirteen years since his diagnosis, are as fortunate. There is still no cure, and many are still losing their battles at far too young an age. We don’t fundraise on behalf of OUR own story, but for the stories and the lives of those that look far more challenging than ours.
We are feeling ALL the feels as we begin to train and prepare to experience one of the seven natural wonders of the world in this extraordinary way…TOGETHER…as parents of someone affected by CF. Along the journey, we will never lose sight of our WHY, and THAT is what will keep us motivated to finish. As we work hard to breathe during the hike, we will REMEMBER that the lungs of those living with this disease struggle to take a deep breath or breathe free of coughing EVERY day. We will REMEMBER the many who have succumbed to the need for lung transplants. As we grow weary and tired, we will PUSH on for those that are tired of the treatments, medications, and countless hospitalizations and doctor visits. When we think we can not push on, we WILL OVERCOME to help add tomorrows to those that aren’t certain they will see them due to this disease.
Over the years, Struttin For Sutton & Puttin For Sutton’s unwavering supporters have made a significant impact on the advancements made by the CFF through our fundraising. We are asking for your help once again. Whether it is your prayers, a donation, or sharing our story, YOU play a VITAL role in our mission efforts. The philanthropic commitment we are hoping to achieve is $4000 per hiker, with 100% going to the CF Foundation. It is a BIG financial goal for a BIG mission. We are blessed to continue to have one of the greatest tribes. Thanks to all of you that continue to stand beside us until the day CF stands for CURE FOUND.
Jeremy & Nicole Spooner
As we head into our 13th year of fundraising for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, (and the realization that we will have a teenager in our home this year!), we have decided to do something BIG when it comes to showing our passion for helping this incredible cause and the community of people affected by this disease. We are going to set aside the golf clubs and our Puttin For Sutton event for the 2025 year, and once again…STRUT for SUT…but in a more EXTREME way!
The Grand Canyon gets over five million annual visitors each year, but roughly 1% of those people attempt to hike it rim to rim…and some would say the craziest of them all…hike it in ONE day.
The Cystic Fibrosis Grand Canyon Xtreme Hike is like no other Xtreme Hike. Its HOT. It’s HARD. It’s LONG, and it can be dangerous. The Xtreme hike starts on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, where participants will descend 4,380 feet in 9.3 miles, and then ascend another 1500 feet over 7 miles through “The Box” of the Canyon. After 17 miles of hiking, the most challenging stretch still lies ahead with the last 7 miles climbing an additional 4000ft to the North Rim…totaling almost 24 miles in what will take approximately 14 hours.
We have decided that we are about to embark on what may be one of the most physical commitments of our life. It will be an adventure of PASSION, DETERMINATION, STRENGTH, and PERSONAL TRIUMPH all in the name of fundraising, raising awareness, and continuing our mission to help find a cure for all those living with Cystic Fibrosis.
Sutton continues to live a healthy life with minimal complications from his CF related disease, but not all those we have come to know and love over the last, almost thirteen years since his diagnosis, are as fortunate. There is still no cure, and many are still losing their battles at far too young an age. We don’t fundraise on behalf of OUR own story, but for the stories and the lives of those that look far more challenging than ours.
We are feeling ALL the feels as we begin to train and prepare to experience one of the seven natural wonders of the world in this extraordinary way…TOGETHER…as parents of someone affected by CF. Along the journey, we will never lose sight of our WHY, and THAT is what will keep us motivated to finish. As we work hard to breathe during the hike, we will REMEMBER that the lungs of those living with this disease struggle to take a deep breath or breathe free of coughing EVERY day. We will REMEMBER the many who have succumbed to the need for lung transplants. As we grow weary and tired, we will PUSH on for those that are tired of the treatments, medications, and countless hospitalizations and doctor visits. When we think we can not push on, we WILL OVERCOME to help add tomorrows to those that aren’t certain they will see them due to this disease.
Over the years, Struttin For Sutton & Puttin For Sutton’s unwavering supporters have made a significant impact on the advancements made by the CFF through our fundraising. We are asking for your help once again. Whether it is your prayers, a donation, or sharing our story, YOU play a VITAL role in our mission efforts. The philanthropic commitment we are hoping to achieve is $4000 per hiker, with 100% going to the CF Foundation. It is a BIG financial goal for a BIG mission. We are blessed to continue to have one of the greatest tribes. Thanks to all of you that continue to stand beside us until the day CF stands for CURE FOUND.
Jeremy & Nicole Spooner
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