Liam's 19,341 ft. Kili Challenge
Tax deductible
On July 10, 2018 I will be traveling toTanzania to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. I’m dedicating my 6 day hike to the memory of my grandparents:
Wally & Carol Grueser and Bill & Toni O’Brien-all who faced serious illnesses and are no longer with us.
This hike is an extraordinary opportunity for me to get out of my bubble, think about my purpose, sort out my goals, challenge myself, learn some life lessons, experience a different culture, and meet people from across the world. It is also a great platform for me to give.
For those of you who know me, you know that while growing up my immediate family dealt with serious illnesses. Three of my grandparents battled Stage 4 Cancer and one battled Alzheimers at fairly young ages. Three of my grandparents were very sick when I was younger. It’s a part of my childhood memories: watching old movies with my grandpa at his chemotherapy treatments, different health professionals helping at our house, the travel, and my parents having to be away while helping my grandparents to get the best medical care possible. Luckily, we had a lot of support from family, friends, and neighbors. The odds of someone in my current immediate family getting cancer or Alzheimer’s is probably higher than most. When I have to write down the medical history of my family, it’s scary, The joke that’s not really a joke is-we’re screwed.
I have taken away two things from my experience. We need to find cures in our lifetime and in the meantime we need to help those in our community who are battling serious illnesses.
Chances are, EVERYONE knows or has known at least one family who has dealt with serious and disabling sickness. What happens when the sickness causes lost family income? What happens when the medical bills, prescription costs and transportation costs for medical treatment become overwhelming? A Giving Spirit Foundation, right here in the Davidson/Charlotte community offers financial assistance to mothers who have been diagnosed with life altering serious medical conditions. Just recently, I saw how AGSF helped friends in our community- it’s the real deal. Supporting a local foundation means helping our neighbors. I like that.
What about cures for these diseases? When I think of what would be the greatest accomplishment in the world, it would be to completely eradicate cancer. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States behind heart disease. There is an organization that is completely dedicated to finding a cure-the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR).
The top of Kilimanjaro is 19,341 feet above sea level. My goal is to raise one dime per foot of my hike, meaning my fundraising goal is $1934. All the money raised for my climb will be donated directly to AGSF. All money raised over my goal will be donated to AACR. Check out my fundraising page and please consider making a tax deductible contribution to my climb-any donation would be greatly appreciated.
Wally & Carol Grueser and Bill & Toni O’Brien-all who faced serious illnesses and are no longer with us.
This hike is an extraordinary opportunity for me to get out of my bubble, think about my purpose, sort out my goals, challenge myself, learn some life lessons, experience a different culture, and meet people from across the world. It is also a great platform for me to give.
For those of you who know me, you know that while growing up my immediate family dealt with serious illnesses. Three of my grandparents battled Stage 4 Cancer and one battled Alzheimers at fairly young ages. Three of my grandparents were very sick when I was younger. It’s a part of my childhood memories: watching old movies with my grandpa at his chemotherapy treatments, different health professionals helping at our house, the travel, and my parents having to be away while helping my grandparents to get the best medical care possible. Luckily, we had a lot of support from family, friends, and neighbors. The odds of someone in my current immediate family getting cancer or Alzheimer’s is probably higher than most. When I have to write down the medical history of my family, it’s scary, The joke that’s not really a joke is-we’re screwed.
I have taken away two things from my experience. We need to find cures in our lifetime and in the meantime we need to help those in our community who are battling serious illnesses.
Chances are, EVERYONE knows or has known at least one family who has dealt with serious and disabling sickness. What happens when the sickness causes lost family income? What happens when the medical bills, prescription costs and transportation costs for medical treatment become overwhelming? A Giving Spirit Foundation, right here in the Davidson/Charlotte community offers financial assistance to mothers who have been diagnosed with life altering serious medical conditions. Just recently, I saw how AGSF helped friends in our community- it’s the real deal. Supporting a local foundation means helping our neighbors. I like that.
What about cures for these diseases? When I think of what would be the greatest accomplishment in the world, it would be to completely eradicate cancer. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States behind heart disease. There is an organization that is completely dedicated to finding a cure-the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR).
The top of Kilimanjaro is 19,341 feet above sea level. My goal is to raise one dime per foot of my hike, meaning my fundraising goal is $1934. All the money raised for my climb will be donated directly to AGSF. All money raised over my goal will be donated to AACR. Check out my fundraising page and please consider making a tax deductible contribution to my climb-any donation would be greatly appreciated.