Perhaps you’ve heard already... I am going to trek across America on the American Discovery Trail to raise research funds and awareness for Aplastic Anemia and other bone marrow diseases. That’s 5,000 miles across the country—on foot!
And I won't be going alone – my mom will be my hiking partner. My dad, Keith, and my husband, Adam, are key in this journey as well. They are our at-home support base – working their butts off while we hit the trail. They are among the most amazing, supportive men I have ever known. They will stay back, work, and hold up the forts for us. So we are a 4-person team tackling a dream to find a universal cure.
But it surely doesn’t end with the four of us. “Our Hike” represents much more – a family. It’s a family of patients, their families, friends, caregivers, survivors and supporters coming together to make a huge difference for something so little known.
Why not just embark on a more traditional fundraising effort? In 1997, I was diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia. Fortunately, I’m now in remission. So the hike is a celebration of that good health – the physical abilities that might be easy to take for granted each day. It’s also a way to raise awareness for Bone Marrow Diseases. Unlike other common diseases like cancers and heart disease, this illness isn’t a priority for research and there aren’t as many fundraising efforts – yet. In fact, most people have never heard of Bone Marrow Disease. The scary thing, though, is that it can hit anyone at any time – and it is fatal if not treated. Awareness is key, and we want to educate others. “Our Hike” is an engaging way to spread awareness and raise money for the Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation (AA&MDSIF), to help find a cure for these and other bone marrow diseases.
So in the coming months, we’ll be telling our story to anyone who’ll listen. And we hope you’ll join our family and spread the word too. Please pledge a donation and help us reach our $1 million goal. Every little bit helps. On behalf of all patients and family members that have unfortunately been introduced to Bone Marrow Diseases, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Take care and happy trails!
Robin Grapa
P.S. I hope you continue to follow our journey! If you’d like to say hi by signing our guestbook, click here!
Sorry - Comments are disabled.