A MESSAGE FROM MELISSA BALES's R2R2R REDEMPTION
Thank you for visiting my page and for supporting my efforts to meet and hopefully exceed my fundraising goal -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!
In August, I will be hiking not just IN the Grand Canyon, but across it and back with The Project Athena Northern Arizona Grand Canyon Area Adventure as a Goddess (fundraising participant) to help support women who've endured life-altering medical setbacks to unleash the Athlete and Adventurer within and to inspire others to pursue their dreams.
If you followed me in June 2015, I got across (24ish miles), but unfortunately had to make the tough choice to not traverse back across on day 2 so I didn't hold back the stronger hikers. I'm still proud of myself though since the year prior I was struggling walking 30 feet without severe pain. 2016 will be my year. "Whatever it takes." I WILL MAKE IT, with your support.
Project Athena is a 501c3 non-profit foundation that encourages women who've endured life-altering medical setbacks to unleash the Athlete and Adventurer within and complete the journey of a lifetime—whether that's to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, cross the finish line of an Ironman Triathlon, or fall into the arms of a proud family at the end of a local 5K.
Project Athena provides travel expenses, entry fees, coaching, equipment and, most importantly, the encouragement and inspiration to help strong, amazing women make that life-affirming transition from Survivor to Athlete.
"All of us have had our 'chutes' to deal with in life", explains Project Athena's Founder and World Champion Adventure Racer Robyn Benincasa. "Project Athena is all about showing other Survivors the way to the 'ladders' and helping them inspire and amaze themselves on that climb back up. Probably the most important thing we give our Athenaship Recipients is hope, and a vision of what's possible. Doctors cure the body...Project Athena cures the spirit."
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