Why did you participate and did you get what you expected out of the program?

I love to hike and I donate to worthy causes every year so when the Hike For Discovery pamphlet came in the mail I know this was right for me. I didn’t have any personal experiences of loss associated with the cancers researched by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I just wanted to make a difference in the world while at the same time doing something enjoyable.

I got more than I expected from the program. When I began I didn’t fully understand how I was helping but as I spent more time fundraising I met many people with personal stories of loss and survival, some living in my neighborhood, and each one of them was truly inspirational. I would have never met these people if I didn’t participate in this program.

What was your favorite training hike and why?

Sugarloaf Mountain in the Fog.

I had been to Sugarloaf Mountain many times before but this time the fog was so thick it was like walking in the clouds. The white background of fog made the colors of the woods really pop

What was your favorite hiking trail (not including the Grand Canyon)?

My favorite hiking trail is the Appalachian Trail (AT). There is just something about knowing that you can follow the trail you are standing on for over 2000 miles through 14 states. We hiked 3 sections of the AT, 2 in Maryland and one in Pennsylvania.

What was your most memorable experience (not including the Grand Canyon trip)?

Getting to know all the other team members and their personal stories about why they were participating.

What was your most memorable experience at the Grand Canyon?

The altitude got to me towards the end of our hike and I really had to work to catch my breath during the last climb out of the canyon. When I got to the top my entire hiking group was waiting for me and cheering.

What was the first thought that popped into your head when you saw the canyon?

I don’t think I actually had a thought; my mind just went blank as I took it all in. I was speechless. I had never seen anything like it and even the photos and videos I had seen still couldn’t prepare me for the real thing.

What worked best for you with fundraising?

Friends and relatives forwarded my emails and posted links to my fundraising site on other message boards. I got several donations from people I had never even met.

What worked worst for you with fundraising?

Waiting too long before trying to set up fundraising events and then not contacting enough locations to host. I put my trust in one location that promised me they could host a guest bartending event and by the time they told me they couldn’t help it was too late to find another location.

What would you do differently with fundraising if you could do it again?

I would put more focus on fundraising events and raffles and I would start preparing for them the first week of fundraising. Events take a surprisingly long amount of time to coordinate.

How often did you hike before joining Hike for Discovery?

At least once a month, usually more, even in the winter

Will you continue to hike now that the program is over?

Yes