My Xtreme Hike Story
Linda Douglas
Fundraising for Xtreme Hike Massachusetts
Linda Douglas
Dear friends,
Sooooo…this year I will be a virtual hiker. What the heck does that mean? Well it means that I will do a less Xtreme hike on my own. So three weekends ago, I gave it my all and hiked 12 miles over two days with some of the Posse providing moral support. What I will also be doing is volunteering throughout this coming weekend and do my best to help the hikers have the safest and best hike possible. I will be working with Posse member Mary and we will be supporting Diane, Meredith, Jim, honoree Posse member Jane and 50+ other hikers as they hike 25+ miles in a Noreaster on Saturday starting before sunrise.
As you know, I initially hiked in support of Diane & Jim’s son Patrick. Now I am also involved in this effort for the many others I have met over the last 12 years who are impacted directly or indirectly by this challenging disease.
Pat is now 2 years out of BC, enjoying post-college life in Southie, and he continues to develop in his career path. Pat enjoys travel and sports and has a lovely girlfriend Anna whom I just met. Pat continues to be a gym rat at Equinox and is thankfully enjoying stable and good health.
So why do we continue to hike?
So we continue to hike and to volunteer. This Saturday, the Posse and I will be rising at ~2:30AM, some will be hitting the trail ~3:30AM and Mary and I will be setting up tents, rest stops, trail signs and prepping food as the hikers hike through the Berkshires for 12+ hours.
The weather this Saturday is expected to be rough. Please think of us at sunrise (if we can see the sun) and send positive thoughts and prayers for a safe and successful day for all of the hikers.
This Saturday, May 31st, is the CFF Xtreme hike for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. I have hiked the Xtreme hike for the last 12 years. This Spring I did several training hikes but with my recurring foot issues (I’ll spare you a photo of my bunion/hammer toe), I wasn’t able to get past 7.5 miles without some major issues.
Sooooo…this year I will be a virtual hiker. What the heck does that mean? Well it means that I will do a less Xtreme hike on my own. So three weekends ago, I gave it my all and hiked 12 miles over two days with some of the Posse providing moral support. What I will also be doing is volunteering throughout this coming weekend and do my best to help the hikers have the safest and best hike possible. I will be working with Posse member Mary and we will be supporting Diane, Meredith, Jim, honoree Posse member Jane and 50+ other hikers as they hike 25+ miles in a Noreaster on Saturday starting before sunrise.
As you know, I initially hiked in support of Diane & Jim’s son Patrick. Now I am also involved in this effort for the many others I have met over the last 12 years who are impacted directly or indirectly by this challenging disease.
Pat is now 2 years out of BC, enjoying post-college life in Southie, and he continues to develop in his career path. Pat enjoys travel and sports and has a lovely girlfriend Anna whom I just met. Pat continues to be a gym rat at Equinox and is thankfully enjoying stable and good health.
So why do we continue to hike?
- THANKS TO ALL OF YOU, the funds we have raised through this hike are remarkable and they have a direct impact on the level of CF medical research and available treatments. Pat has benefited from many of these including the breakthrough CF modulator Trikafta which he continues to use successfully. However these treatments are life-extending, NOT A CURE. We were unfortunately reminded of this recently as the son of one of our fellow hikers who was successfully taking Trikafta had a recent set back. So we hike towards a CURE.
- Due to the varying gene mutations which cause CF, there are still 10% of CF patients for which there is NO suitable modulator or treatment. As we raise more funds, we’re hoping additional treatments and modifications will bring viable options to ALL CF patients.
- Reminder: Life expectancy for CF patients has increased from 31 in ‘05 to 61 today. For that we are all XTREMELY thankful BUT...I am 61 and the thought of that is horrifying! We need to make much more progress!!
- Many CF patients continue to battle lung infections resulting in permanent lung damage - research on how best to prevent/fight infections is critical.
So we continue to hike and to volunteer. This Saturday, the Posse and I will be rising at ~2:30AM, some will be hitting the trail ~3:30AM and Mary and I will be setting up tents, rest stops, trail signs and prepping food as the hikers hike through the Berkshires for 12+ hours.
The support you have given over the years is overwhelming and for that we are eternally grateful. If you happen to be in a position to support us this year, please know that all donations, ANY size, will make an impact. You can donate by:
- Following my link: https://fundraise.cff.org/xtremehikema/LindyDPP
- Mailing your check, payable to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and send to: Linda Douglas, 45 Sacramento Street, Unit 1, Cambridge, MA 02138
The weather this Saturday is expected to be rough. Please think of us at sunrise (if we can see the sun) and send positive thoughts and prayers for a safe and successful day for all of the hikers.
Peace, love, & enormous gratitude,
Linda & the Posse
Diane, Jim, Pat, Liz, Mary & Meredith xxoo
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