Tomorrow, I leave for Kilimanjaro. This is a trip that I’ve been planning for decades, signed up for in 2019, endured 3 cancellations due to Covid and am finally embarking on tomorrow.
Here I go!
It is finally happening – 3 years, countless miles of hiking and workouts. I have had the dream to climb Kilimanjaro from my early days at Starbucks when my colleagues and I explored the Cascades and I caught the mountaineering bug. I’ve watched with excitement as a number of my friends have taken this adventure, and I’m thrilled that I am finally able to go. Covid delayed the trip, but didn’t dampen my energy and spirit.
My goal is to climb to the summit and waive the JDRF flag – 19,340 feet, and I’m working to raise $19,340 for JDRF’s fight to end T1D. THANK YOU to those that have already contributed. I’m grateful for your support!
As I’ve shared in the past, my husband Greg and son Wes both live with T1D and I see the challenges the disease poses first-hand. Last year, JDRF partnered with other leading organizations to launch the T1D Index – and we now know the impact of this disease on communities across the globe. In Tanzania, where I’ll be, a person living with T1D loses 49 healthy years of life. 49! We are working with our partners to ensure people with T1D get diagnosed, have access to insulin and test strips, and we can save and extend the lives of those affected by this dangerous autoimmune condition.
Please join me in helping fund this important work at JDRF.
I’ll also be waiving the TFW Flag on the top – my incredible Bainbridge Island home and my Training for Warriors family. Along the way, I have built friendships and rekindled my understanding of grit and determination in overcoming mental and physical obstacles.
My plan is to post updates and images from my trip, and share my journey along the way if I can. I’ll be on an 8 day Lemosho route – you can see the details here. I’m excited to finally get to work with Alpine Ascents for this journey.
My colleague at JDRF, Katie, sent me a bracelet in the mail as I was preparing to climb. It is LOKAI bracelet that contains the best of life lessons – sometimes you’re on top, stay humble. Sometimes you’ve hit a low, stay hopeful. This is how I will approach each step of the next few weeks: with this bracelet on my wrist, hope in my heart, and the mindset of humbleness to keep me grounded. I’ll wear this bracelet with my Hannah tattoo, and will look to feel her in each sunset. I also have the same bracelet for Mimi to wear so that we can think of each other when we look at our bracelets across the world from one another.
Thank you for your support!
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