Hiking For A Reason

I will carry you…

It seems so many folks that I know are facing cancer challenges. Others are facing other difficult trials.

On Saturday, June 22nd, Paul and I will be hiking the 17.2 -mile Homestead Challenge of the Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy Challenge. On that day, we will “carry” anyone who needs their burden lifted for the day. We hope to have at least one person to “carry” for each mile that we hike. For that mile, we will “carry” them, pray for them, think of them and use them as strength as an inspiration for our own challenge that day.

Paul and I also “carried” folks in 2012 – over 100! – and it was one of the most meaningful days of our lives. As we neared the end of the 36-mile hike, I pulled out the list of those we were carrying and read their names out loud. We will have a list with us again this Challenge.

We are also using the event as a fund raiser for Survivor’s Outdoor Experience Healing Adventure Retreat East – to be held for the first time in Pittsburgh at Chatham University on June 28th-30th. SOE was founded by my brother, Jack, a nearly 16-year brain cancer survivor and will offer cancer survivors and their caregivers a weekend retreat totally free of charge. We just successfully offered the 8th Retreat in Port Angeles, WA and can’t wait to begin the retreat here. If you are so moved, we will be “hiking for a reason” so that others can also have their burdens carried for a weekend.

There is no obligation to make a donation if you want us to carry your or your loved one’s burden. We will also walk in honor of those who have survived or in honor of someone who has passed. It will be an act of love towards you and it will be our honor to “carry” you.

Thank you for trusting us to “carry you.”

Kathleen Ganster, SOE Board President

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