Audry Enns is one of several Mississippians currently training for the Make A Wish Trailblaze Challenge, taking place on the Pinhoti Trail in Alabama, Saturday, June 3rd. These dedicated participants will navigate 26.3 miles of the Pinhoti Trail in one day, rain or shine, with the goal of raising vital funds to invest in granting the wishes of children in Mississippi who are facing life-threatening illnesses. By doing so, Mississippi families get to experience renewed hope, strength, and joy during challenging health circumstances!
We asked Audry what first drew her to the Make A Wish Trailblaze Challenge, and she shared she was interested in both the physical challenge of the hike, but also the personal challenge of raising the funds for children who are currently facing physical challenges themselves. She said,
“Stepping outside of my comfort zone in asking for funding for the hike pales in comparison to the bravery necessary of the children and their families facing a medical crisis.”
Audry initially heard about the Trailblaze Challenge from fellow hiker Sarah Ulmer (http://bit.ly/SarahMakeAWish), who featured Make a Wish on Supertalk Mississippi Radio. Hearing about and reading the stories of the kids who have benefitted from Make a Wish MS was very impactful for Audry. She shared it was interesting to discover that around the same time the child and their family receive their “wish,” research shows notable positive change for the child’s prognosis. According to the National Wish Impact Study, 74% of parents saw the wish experience as a positive turning point in the wish kids’ battle against their illnesses. In this same study, 98% of parents said that the wish experience made them feel like a “normal” family again.
Audry and her fellow Mississippi team hikers have been training at Choctaw Trails in Jackson/Clinton, as well as at the trails along the Trace in Ridgeland, and Rocky Springs National Park. The Trailblaze Challenge event happens once a year, and interested hikers can find more information at www.trailblazechallengems.org.
Audry’s individual goal is $2,500. That’s less than $100 for each mile she will hike. We’re less than two weeks away from the 26.3 mile hike, but if you can’t give right away, fundraising continues through early July. You can join Audry by being a part of making a difference in these children’s lives and helping us grant more than 100 children’s wishes in Mississippi from the convenience of your couch. Follow this link to donate: http://bitly.com/AudryMakeAWish
DGMS is so excited about Mississippians coming alongside each other to encourage hope and bring smiles to the faces of children and their families through Make a Wish!
