In about 15 minutes I'm headed to the airport and off to Colorado! Our team of 7 from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Washington/Alaska Chapter will be joining other LLS Chapters from around the nation in Estes, Colorado for the big Event Hike. After spending all summer hiking beautiful Washington State, I can't wait to see the wonders of the Rocky Mountain National Park!
As of today I am $155 away from my goal. When I signed up with The LLS in the spring, the thought of raising $4000 on my own was a daunting and intimidating goal. But with the help of each of you I have gotten closer than I thought I would! I can't express how much I appreciate all your support and generosity. This has been a heart-touching experience for me - getting to know my fellow hikers and hearing their stories about how cancer has affected their lives, and seeing the outporing of support from friends, family and strangers to help me reach my goal.
On my hiking pack I am carrying tokens of those I am hiking for: Dylan Ellefson, our team's honored patient (8 year old in his third year of treatment); Kim Kobata, our honored teammate and cancer survivor; in memory of my father-in-law Ben Benda who passed away in 1998 from lung cancer; in memory of Steve Knight who passed away last year from lung cancer; in honor of my father, Hebron Cook who has terminal lung cancer; in honor of my mother, Sandra Cook who is a cancer-survivor; in honor of Cora, a 4 year old with kidney cancer; and, in honor of Mama Pigg, living with cancer. I carry on my pack a tag or ribbon for each of these names that I take with me on every hike. They'll be with me in Colorado too.
I'll be sure to update my blog with all the pictures and trail information once I get back. I'm looking forward to sharing my stories, so be sure to check back!
Once again, thank you for all your support. And because the money is going to a good cause, you can continue to donate on my fundraising page through the end of September! Every little bit helps and is appreciated!
All my best,
--Trisha Benda
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