A journey to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.
19,340' incline for $40,000 towards charity.
Welcome to the adventure…
When a goal meets good intentions, magic can happen. Not only will I take on the goal of climbing the nearly 19,500 foot tall mountain, but I will surpass any previous personal fundraising goal by collecting $40,000 for The Alexis Joy D’Achille Foundation. As part of my own personal story, this campaign will create a fund earmarked for birthmothers or adoptive mothers in need.
Almost a decade ago I watched the documentary “The Way Up” about NFL star Chris Long, who climbed Kilimanjaro with a group of disabled veterans to raise money to build wells in Africa. I knew then, in the midst of my fitness journey, that climbing Kilimanjaro was now on my goals list. Now, as I approach my milestone 40th birthday, it’s time to make that goal a reality. Shortly after that I began volunteering my time with the Alexis Joy D’Achille Foundation for Postpartum Depression. Their main mission is to raise the public’s awareness of the signs and symptoms of, and offer necessary treatment resources for, women suffering from postpartum depression. Their partnership with Allegheny Health Network has made a direct impact on the local Pittsburgh community, and their diligent work with the media has helped spread awareness across the United States.
The Alexis Joy D’Achille Foundation was started in honor of a beloved daughter, devoted wife, steadfast friend, and loving mother. Lighting up any room, Alexis carried herself with dignity and grace, but never shied away from allowing her vivacious sense of humor bring laughter to those around her. In true Alexis fashion, every detail was planned for the August 2013 arrival of her and Steven’s daughter, Adriana.
Unfortunately, even after a perfectly normal pregnancy, Alexis began to feel the effects of postpartum depression almost immediately after giving birth. A doting husband and father, Steven helped her seek every treatment available. Unable to receive the relief she needed, Alexis took her own life just six weeks after Adriana’s birth, in October 2013. In the weeks and months thereafter, Steven made it his mission to create a legacy in his wife’s honor…one his infant daughter could carry on. What started as one man’s desire to help women understand and treat the effects of postpartum depression has turned into an incredible Foundation that has spread awareness across the country. Helping women locally in the Pittsburgh area, the Alexis Joy Foundation works tirelessly to improve the care, access, and experience of mothers and their children in need of PPD services.
For additional
information, please
visit their official website...
