Friday, June 26, 2015

Hike for Julie

Henry and Bennett with their Appalachian Trail Hike inspiration, Julie
You know that feeling of butterflies in your stomach you get when you are nervous and excited all at the same time? How about that feeling after you graduated from high school and the world ahead seemed so big? And finally, that feeling when you are older and you look around and want to make sure you are making a difference?

Well, have we got a story for you!

Butterflies are building up for father/son duo Henry and Bennett. These two have been hiking together for years and plans to hike the Appalachian Trail are coming true. They leave in just three days on a journey of a lifetime (Monday, June 29th).

Bennett, a recent high school graduate, is delaying his start in college to hike with his dad. Henry is taking five months off of work to tackle the trail.

Their motivation? A little girl named Julie. She is battling Rett Syndrome, a neurological disorder that mainly affects girls. It affects her ability to walk, speak or use her hands. Hiking a trail is out of her reach .... for now.

Henry and Bennett want to be a part of changing that. They hike to push their own physical limits to raise awareness for this devastating syndrome. They hike with the bravery Julie has shown every day in her fight.

Girl Power 2 Cure is honored to be a part of this journey. We are cheering them on, lifting them up every step of the way.

It's not going to be easy. It's 2,189 miles of Mother Nature in all its fury, beauty, and splendor. The trail passes through 14 states and only one in four of those who set out on the journey complete the full distance.

Hiking the trail is equivalent to climbing Mt. Everest 16 times.

They will start in Katahdin, ME with hopes of getting to Springer Mountain in Georgia before Thanksgiving.

To follow their journey, check in on hikeforjulie.org and gp2c.org/hikeforjulie.

We look forward to following their journey and wish them strength, bravery, resilience and joy as they progress. Much like the journey of Rett Syndrome, it is daunting but there is an end in sight if we keep pushing forward.

Show your support on social media with #hikeforjulie! CLICK HERE TO DONATE