My Xtreme Hike Story

I'm finally committing to being one of the Xtreme Hikers in the Grand Canyon! On May 16, 2020, I'll be heading down the Bright Angel Trail at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and tackling 23.5 miles of challenging terrain to ascend on the North Kaibab Trail at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. It's been on my bucket list and I'm doing it!!

Why would anyone WANT to do this? Well, I'm doing it to help the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation find a cure for the disease that impacts my friends and children of my friends. Don't know about CF? Here are the basics:

Cystic fibrosis is a rare, life-shortening, genetic disease found in about 30,000 people in the U.S. A genetic mutation causes a thick and sticky mucus in various organs. In the lungs, the mucus clogs the airways and traps germs leading to infections, inflammation, respiratory failure, and other complications. In the pancreas, the buildup of mucus prevents the release of digestive enzymes that help the body absorb food and key nutrients, resulting in malnutrition and poor growth. In the liver, the thick mucus can block the bile duct, causing liver disease. In men, CF can affect their ability to have children.

Sixty years ago, most children with cystic fibrosis did not live long enough to attend elementary school. Thanks to CF Foundation-based research and care, many people with CF are now living into their forties and achieving milestones once thought impossible. Dreams like attending college, pursuing a career, finding a life-partner, and having a family are now a reality for many with CF.

While there has been significant progress in treating this disease, there is still no cure and too many lives are cut far too short. With your donation to support my Arizona Xtreme Hike at the Grand Canyon, we are adding tomorrows to the lives of all people living with CF today.

The CF Foundation is the world's leader in the search for a cure for cystic fibrosis, and nearly every CF-specific drug available today was made possible with their financial support. The CF Foundation is a donor-funded, 501(c)(3) nonprofit that is fully accredited by the Better Business Bureau's (BBB) Wise Giving Alliance program. Feel confident knowing your donation is supporting an organization that continues to impact lives by investing in innovative research, drug development, care, and programming.  

Please support my effort to help find a cure for those with CF by giving to my Xtreme Hike fundraising campaign. Your donation is meaningful to many and I am grateful for your generosity!

Thank you!

Karli