In case you're wondering, the Trailblaze Challenge is a strenuous 28.3-mile hike along the Foothills Trail in the mountains of North and South Carolina. I and all the other hikers will be tackling this trail in one single day. Yes, you read that right - we'll be starting well before dawn and challenging ourselves physically all day long, hiking more than the distance of a marathon, but on a steep, rocky trail, instead of city streets. But this physical challenge is nothing compared to the challenges faced by children battling life-threatening illnesses. They're why I'm taking on this challenge.
I am excited to take on this year’s Trailblaze Challenge. In addition to the physical challenge, I have committed myself to raising money for Make-A-Wish to help grant the wishes of children with critical illnesses. With your help, the Alabama chapter will achieve our goal of granting 100 wishes this year.
Make-A-Wish grants thousands of unique wishes each year. But many kids and their families are still on the waiting list and haven't been able to have their wishes granted yet. These kids' needs did not end when COVID began, and their need is more urgent than ever. For many wish families, the day their child's wish is granted is a milestone, a long-lasting memory of a time when life was normal, free from worry about their child's illness. I’m fundraising so more deserving kids and their families can know the happiness, relief and renewal a wish can bring.
The past two years have brought the world plenty of disheartening news, but through your support of this event, you have a wonderful opportunity to provide some good news for a change. And I think an opportunity like that is worth our effort and is worth fighting for, just like Wish kids do every day. If you are able, please consider donating to help this cause. Any little bit helps, and wish families will be grateful for your support. Having hiked this event three times before, I can tell you that your donation will make more difference than you'll even realize. Thanks for helping make wishes come true for these deserving kids!