Every fall for the last five years, myself, alongside a group of friends and family have taken a long weekend trip from South Florida to Breckenridge, CO to immerse ourselves in all that the mountains have to offer. There is something rejuvenating about being immersed in nature and witnessing something so much bigger than ourselves. For the last four years, the highlight of our trips have been hiking and summiting a different 14er each year (a mountain peak exceeding 14,000 ft). Coming from a state barely above sea level, hiking these trails once a year is something that is immensely physically and mentally challenging. The feeling of reaching the summit, though, is indescribable and worth every ounce of pain.
Last year, in addition to summiting a 14er we chose a foundation to fundraise for, and donate to, upon completion of our hike. This made the climb even more meaningful as it was no longer for our accomplishment alone but for a greater cause that we value. For our inaugural summit, The Onyia Summit Foundation https://onyiasummitfoundation.com/) chose to raise funds towards Hike the Good Hike (HTGH). Its founder, Jesse Cody, suffered from depression and suicidal ideations. But through a friend and the book A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson, he chose to embark on a hiking journey and truly credits this with saving his life.
Words can't describe the excitement and gratitude felt when we summited Mt. Bierstadt knowing we surpassed our goal and raised over $1,500 to support HTGH!
To learn more about Jesse's Story and HTGH, visit https://www.hikethegoodhike.org/ or follow him on Instagram @hikethegoodhike
This year, The Onyia Summit Foundation has chosen to raise money for Myla’s “Beleaf”, which focuses on providing financial support to families affected by childhood cancer. Myla Carrera was diagnosed with Wilms Tumor, a form of kidney cancer, in December of 2017 that eventually spread to her lungs. After a year of aggressive treatment, she still had multiple lung lesions and was deemed terminal. Her family decided to explore experimental treatments, such as repurposed medicine and immunotherapy in Austria. Sadly, though, her cancer spread to the occipital lobe of her brain, and after multiple recurrences, it ultimately took her life on January 1, 2020.
Myla's family has made it their mission to help support kids and their families who are affected by childhood cancer. They provide financial relief for household expenses, medical care including travel expenses, and even special events for the kids such as birthdays or other memorable milestones.
I have had the honor of meeting Myla's parents, Camilla and Mike, and hearing first hand Myla's story and the impacts they have made in our local South Florida community. Myself, along with some of my closest friends and family, are excited to take on Mt. Sherman (Elev. 14,034') at the end of September and hike not only for ourselves, but for Myla and Myla's "Beleaf". We hope you'll help us support this powerful cause. Any donations will be greatly appreciated!
(visit https://mylasbeleaf.com/ to learn more about Myla’s story)
