Almost 25 years ago, Jack was born. Rachel and I had exactly 10 days to enjoy that excitement of being a first time parent, thinking about all the things we wanted for him as he began his new life. Then we heard "Cystic Fibrosis" for the first time. I didn't fully understand what that meant, but ironically Rachel had done a college paper on CF just a few years before. Naturally, we went to the internet and were filled with horror after reading page after page about all the things Jack would probably never experience such as sports, good health, a normal life and adulthood. It was terrifying and even a bit paralyzing.

We met with the team from Children's Hospital in Boston, and they promised us that new treatments were on the way and to not get lost in despair. It wasn't easy. We had nights of uncontrollable coughing, hospital stays, fighting with Jack over doing his treatments. But, new treatments did arrive.

Jack is a healthy 24 year old adult living and thriving despite Cystic Fibrosis. He is a Physical Education teacher, a basketball and baseball coach, a successful high school athlete who even got to play a bit in college, and he is experiencing all those things that we we so uncertain about almost 25 years ago.

The progress has been amazing, and it's because so many people have adopted this cause as their own even though it would be simple to let others take up this fight. This progress isn't possible without all of you that have supported me in the past. I cannot express how grateful I am for that support. I will be participating in the Xtreme Hike again this year with two amazing people. Eli Lav and Jess Walker, you guys are crazy and I can't believe how amazing you both are!, did all of you that have supported me in the past or may in the future, I hope that you can help for Jack, and for all those first time parents hearing "Cystic Fibrosis" for the first time. Thank you!