Let’s CELEBRATE!!!!!!! And have a good time….

Each of us has so much to celebrate, whether we realize it or not. Waking up each morning and being able to take a breath, having new and different experiences, sharing a moment with someone, sitting in the quiet of the busy world around you, standing on top of a mountain peak and viewing the beauty that surrounds you…

Often with each celebration, there has been something in our life that has challenged us to lead us to the celebration. Those living with Cystic Fibrosis face challenges every day, for some more than others. The goal of the Xtreme Hike is to raise awareness and funds to help develop new strategies for people living with Cystic Fibrosis to live less challenging lives. 

“Cystic fibrosis, a rare, progressive, life-threatening disease, results in the formation of thick mucus that builds up in the lungs, digestive tract, and other parts of the body. It leads to severe respiratory and digestive problems as well as other complications such as infections and diabetes. Cystic fibrosis is caused by a defective protein that results from mutations in the CFTR gene. While there are approximately 2,000 known mutations of the CFTR gene, the most common mutation is the F508del mutation."

The following information is from the Cystic Fibrosis website: 

“When a group of parents started the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in 1955, there were no treatments for cystic fibrosis. These parents set their sights high, to:

• Advance understanding of this little-known disease

• Create new treatments and specialized care for their children

• Find a cure

• The Foundation's steadfast commitment to advancing CF research has helped enable
  more than a dozen new treatments for the disease to include:  Kalydeco (ivacaftor),
  Orkambi  (lumacaftor/ivacaftor), Symdeko (tezacaftor/ivacaftor), Trikafta
  (elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor), Cayston (aztreonam), and TOBI (tobramycin).A major
  initiative is the Path to a Cure, an ambitious research agenda to deliver treatments for
  the underlying cause of the disease and a cure for every person with CF.”

This will be my 11th year participating in the Xtreme Hike. I personally have experienced multiple challenges through my hike experiences, but at the end of each hike, I can reflect and celebrate my commitment to make a difference within myself and for others. Life is about living, we have to take the good with the bad, hopefully having more good than bad.
Since I have been reaching out to most of you for the last 11 years, you know the important people I hike for, Josey and Ethan! I actually hike for everyone living with Cystic Fibrosis, but Josey and Ethan are my personal, driving force. 

Josey and Ethan are making life milestones in 2026. Josey is getting married in June 2026 and Ethan is graduating from College in May 2026. “There’s a party goin’ on right here, A celebration to last throughout the years” as Kool and the Gang would sing. 

Your continued contributions and support in support of the Xtreme Hike is helping to make a difference for all that live with Cystic Fibrosis. LET’S CELEBRATE and make this year even better than ever for those living with CF. You can make personal donations online, fundraise.cff.org/vahike2026/patty today!
We cannot do it without YOU! As their aunt, I can say on behalf of the family, we remain forever grateful for your diligent support and generosity over the years and now. Without you and your help, progress towards a cure would not be as close as it is today.

Happy Trails….

Many Blessings, 

Patty

Waltons’ Warriors