As many of you have become aware by my occasional mentionings, I am leaving six months from now to hike the 2600+ mile PCT (Pacific Crest Trail ? http://www.pcta.org) with a friend. What probably isn?t as well known is that I?m hiking the trail for a cause: diabetes.
I was diagnosed with type-1 diabetes (formerly called juvenile-onset diabetes) over five and a half years ago at the age of 15. A lack of knowledge of diabetes nearly killed me; I became despondent, separated myself from friends and family, and felt an increasing sense of apathy toward life. Gradually, through persistence and education (thanks to the American Diabetes Association and Children?s Hospital), I learned to accept life with diabetes. Now it?s time for me to give something back. I want all of the 15-year olds who don?t understand this new world of diabetes to know one thing: diabetes does not control your life. You control your diabetes. A completely normal life was once thought impossible to live while dealing with the rigors of diabetes; my hike is to show that this is no longer true. This hike is my goal: the Hike for Diabetes.
I?m writing this to all of you (most of whom I consider my friends) to ask for your help with this. Since this is a benefit hike, I'm trying to raise as much funding as possible before I begin the hike. I am not trying to make anyone feel obligated to donate, but instead to offer the opportunity to anyone who would want to help out. This hike is a non-profit event and any proceeds from the hike will be donated to the American Diabetes Association.
If anyone is interested in hiking any segments of the PCT with me, please email me; support is something I can always accept more of, in any form.
Thanks in advance for any and all of your support. Comments and questions are welcome.
Rob
I was diagnosed with type-1 diabetes (formerly called juvenile-onset diabetes) over five and a half years ago at the age of 15. A lack of knowledge of diabetes nearly killed me; I became despondent, separated myself from friends and family, and felt an increasing sense of apathy toward life. Gradually, through persistence and education (thanks to the American Diabetes Association and Children?s Hospital), I learned to accept life with diabetes. Now it?s time for me to give something back. I want all of the 15-year olds who don?t understand this new world of diabetes to know one thing: diabetes does not control your life. You control your diabetes. A completely normal life was once thought impossible to live while dealing with the rigors of diabetes; my hike is to show that this is no longer true. This hike is my goal: the Hike for Diabetes.
I?m writing this to all of you (most of whom I consider my friends) to ask for your help with this. Since this is a benefit hike, I'm trying to raise as much funding as possible before I begin the hike. I am not trying to make anyone feel obligated to donate, but instead to offer the opportunity to anyone who would want to help out. This hike is a non-profit event and any proceeds from the hike will be donated to the American Diabetes Association.
If anyone is interested in hiking any segments of the PCT with me, please email me; support is something I can always accept more of, in any form.
Thanks in advance for any and all of your support. Comments and questions are welcome.
Rob
I'll post our website as soon as I get it up - it'll have all the info about the hike; distance per day, and hopefully update pictures, etc., while we're on the trail.
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