There are times in life when you experience something that changes your perception about life. I had such an experience from Aug. 3-7, up in Waterton National Peace Park, Alberta, Canada. My wife and I spent five spectacular days with the CURE® Sole 2 Soul for MPN™ group, hiking various trails throughout this gorgeous park. The focus of the trip was to raise awareness in the United States and Canada and research funds for MPNs. Reaching a cure for MPNs is the ultimate goal of this campaign.

The trip started out with getting to know everyone at our meeting spot in a Calgary hotel. The next morning we formed two travel groups via two transport vans for the long drive down to Waterton Park. This allotted me the opportunity to get to know some members of the team. Everyone was completely inviting and welcoming from the very beginning, and it felt as if I had found a brand new loving family. Each member of the team had a different story to tell but all were commonly similar.The Sole 2 Soul for MPN™ team was made up of individuals from all over the United States and Canada from all lifestyles and backgrounds. Despite the variety of life experiences, everyone on the team came together for this one common cause and we came together quickly. The mission of the Sole 2 Soul for MPN™ trek united all of us and forged new friendships that will last a lifetime. Everyone on the team was there to accomplish three days of hiking through Waterton National Peace Park, on trails that were very challenging. In total, the full three-day trek covered 30-plus miles and 6,000-plus feet of elevation gain. Along the way, I quickly found out what the heart and soul of the campaign was all about. Each day on the trail, I was able to mingle and hike along the side of different team members learning all about their life stories. I developed an understanding of each member as they shared pivotal life experiences. Every person had unique wisdom and insight into a life filled with battling blood cancer or caring for a loved one fighting blood cancer.

So off we charged into the adventure of Waterton Park with our newly formed family team. None of us knew exactly how the whole journey would go, but we knew we had each other and one common cause. During each day of the trek, my legs were sore and my feet felt tired, but I never found the ability to complain. Complaining is not an option when you are trekking alongside absolutely incredible individuals battling cancer. You know they are feeling the same as you, plus the additional impact of their cancer symptoms, and yet none of them ever complained. That is the true mark of a hero if I ever saw one. The first day’s hike was a seven-mile warm up, which helped us all to focus and ready our legs for the larger hikes to come. Day two was meaningful as we climbed up the long sweeping bowl above Summit Lake to Carthew Summit. The shale rock traverse and switchbacks were surprisingly perilous and shifty. We learned to assist and rely upon one another to reach the summit, which afforded panoramic views of pristine nature. I witnessed sheer grit, courage and determination among everyone that day. The way in which our team bonded was a thing of beauty. In addition, I was humbled by their kindness, inner strength and drive to never give up. All of us battled every single step of the way with sheer determination to reach the mark.This taught me once more how to live with gratitude and persistence, which is a unique combo. It is hard to put into words the lessons I learned from the Carthew Summit trail.

Personally, the greatest teacher was day three and the famous hike to Crypt Lake. National Geographic voted the Crypt Lake trail as one of the most thrilling hikes in all of Canada and boy did it live up to the hype. Due to the cliff section, this trail is known to be a bit dangerous. It started with a boat ride across Waterton Lake to the trailhead followed by roughly six miles of a 2,300-foot climb to Crypt Lake. Along the way, there were serious switchbacks, beautiful, lush pine forests and, of course, the infamous cave crawl and steel cable cliff transition area. The result of this epic struggle was the arrival at the majestic Crypt Lake. The lake was overwhelmingly beautiful with its emerald green water especially after the climb it takes to get there. It tested each one’s courage and personal will as climbing this trail was no easy task. The journey was worth the struggle.

Just like all of these trails of the Sole 2 Soul for MPN™ trek, the journey of life with MPNs is very much the same. There are tough switchbacks, smooth rolling forest paths and dangerous cliff face traverses. To reach the summit of success, we need to dig deep and find that inner strength such as I witnessed along this whole trip and keep moving forward one step at a time.

Therefore, I learned so many things along the way. I learned all about what it means to be tough and fierce but warm and friendly from former National Hockey League (NHL) referee Kerry Fraser. Kerry shared so many incredible stories with me from his storied 31-year career in the NHL. Kerry is genuine, authentic and I found a new lifelong friend. How he discovered his true self through that career was a lesson in and of itself. His shared life lessons are a gift.

Gary and Paul were the life of the party, a dynamic duo and my brothers from another mother. Gary has a hiking motor like no other, and a wonderful always-positive perspective on life. Gary was my main motivating factor on the Crypt Lake hike and kept me moving for which I am very thankful. Paul is just the best and a great “pool boy.” He is so much fun to hang with even if he wears cut-off sleeves over your shirt.

Brooke and Marty were the glue that kept Sole 2 Soul for MPN™ alive and moving, simply great people. Dr. Jeff is the polar ice plunge king and a steady smiling climber. Jolaine is a gentle, calm but very tough bad “A” and I am proud to call her my friend. Lisa sweet, entertaining and creative for which our theme song was a hit. Sarah and Mike were kind, steady and reassuring along the trail. John and Ben are by far the best videographers I have ever seen and just never stopped moving and working. Both were examples of mountain machines and quite the conservationists. Daniel was my long-lost brother from Incyte and such a positive impactful person. Now that the trip is over, he can rest his knees. Melo! Melo! Melo! Need I really say more as words cannot express my gratitude for all of his efforts on the trek. Melo is one of the main reasons that Kym and I made it to Crypt Lake. He and Chelsea were the best trail cheerleaders I have ever seen. Debby and Alicia were both always so positive and happy motivators along the trail. Cheryl and Mark are both doing so many amazing things in Canada for MPNs. Lindsey, Robyn and Marvel were solid team members and helped to carry the MPN torch with grace.

As a Sole 2 Soul for MPN™ team, we struggled, we sweat, we hurt, we smiled, we laughed, we cried, we hugged, we listened and we triumphed all together as one. Once again, I am reminded of what it means to be a true friend, brother and teammate. My soul has been enlightened and my personal compass reset. To everyone, I say thank you. As an old Irish proverb goes, “May the road always rise to meet your feet, may the wind always be at your back and may the sun always shine warmly upon your face.” Until next year. God Bless!!!