In July, I will be expressing my dedication to ovarian cancer awareness by trekking through the Ausangate region of Peru with 19 other dedicated teammates from around the country. We will be hiking 43 miles at elevations between 14,000 and 17,500 feet. All profits will go directly to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition Team Teal, and your purchase and donations will help meet my goal of raising $20,000. I celebrated by 50th birthday this year, and wanted to do something to prove to myself that I am able to do hard things. But, my true "why," is my daughter, Desolina, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at age 5, and celebrated 10 years being cancer free in 2025. Thankfully early detection gave her a good prognosis because in 2026, there is still no early detection test for ovarian cancer. I'm also dedicating this journey to our friends that we have met along this journey and for those who have not yet been diagnosed. I'm hoping this journey helps to pave the way to better treatments and earlier diagnosis while dreaming of a world where no one born with ovaries dies from this disease.

This picture is from 2023 when Desolina and I first joined NOCC Team Teal as virtual hikers, traveling across the country to log 100 miles, and $3300 in donations. We will continue un-TEAL there's a cure.