My Xtreme Hike Story

Dear friends,

Thinking back to 2013, I clearly remember hike day and the way I felt after hiking 26 miles.  I couldn’t imagine that I would EVER return the following year, never mind for 11 more hikes!  But I knew then that this was a super important fundraising component for continued CF research – research that could (and would) benefit my friend Patrick or “Pat”.  Over the following years, I made many new friends and learned why they hike.  While on the trail, I’ve been blessed to hear stories about their loved ones - their children, spouses, boyfriends, girlfriends, cousins, nieces, nephews, siblings, friends.  The stories I hear are about sporting achievements, dance and song recitals, graduations, marriages, careers, and babies!  It is amazing the progress that has been made so that they can all live their best and healthiest lives.  Please know our combined efforts and your generosity have played a significant role in this progress! 

Pat Update: Post BC graduation last May, Pat moved into a pad in South Boston with friends.  He’s enjoying the start of his career at a firm in downtown Boston.  Pat spends a lot of time at Equinox gym staying fit and healthy but I’m sure is very active on the Boston social scene as well.  

Why do we continue to hike?

• Through 2023, THANKS TO ALL OF YOU, Patrick's Posse has raised over $557K since we started hiking in 2013.  These funds 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.  
• Reminder: Life expectancy for CF patients has increased from 31 in '05 to 56 in '23 - amazing but having just turned 60, this is scary and we NEED to move this higher!  
• There are still many CF patients who do not have a suitable modulator for their CF mutation.  Many of the parents and loved ones of these folks will be hiking alongside me this Saturday.  As we raise more funds, we're hoping additional treatments and modifications will bring viable options to ALL CF patients.  
• Many CF patients continue to battle lung infections resulting in permanent lung damage - research on how best to prevent and fight infections is critical.  
• And most importantly, there is still NO CURE for CF, only treatments.

So we continue to hike and this Saturday, the Posse and I will be rising at ~2:30AM, hitting the trail ~3:30AM w/headlamps & hiking for hours.  Full disclosure:  Due to several competing priorities this year, I have not been able to do the necessary months of training.  In fact, last July (photo above) was probably the last really challenging hiking I’ve done.  I also have some major toe/feet issues (I’ll spare you the photos J) and additionally I was hit with Covid this past week.  Fortunately, the CFF team is offering an abbreviated option this year, a little less “xtreme”, so I’m shooting to hike ~10-15 miles but promise to give it my all.

Thank you for all of the encouragement you generously provide as we prepare for our hike.  If you are in a position to support our hike financially, please know that all donations, ANY size, will make an impact. You can donate by:

Thank you for all of the encouragement you generously provide as we prepare for our hike.  If you are in a position to support our hike financially, please know that all donations, ANY size, will make an impact. You can donate by:

1. Following my link: http://fightcf.cff.org/goto/xtreme_posse_LindyD
2. Mailing your check payable to the "Cystic Fibrosis Foundation" to: Linda Douglas, 45 Sacramento Street, Unit 1, Cambridge, MA 02138

On this Saturday, when you see the sun coming up (or earlier if you’re awake), please send positive thoughts and prayers our way for low humidity, cool weather and a safe day on the trails of the Berkshires. 

Peace, heartfelt gratitude, and LOVE,

Linda & the Posse xxoo

Diane, Jim, Pat, Liz, Mary & Meredith

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