A big night of fun, a silent auction, T-shirt sales, corporate sponsorships, Belay Teams, and the tallest peak in the Western Hemisphere climbed = a massively successful fundraiser!!! That's right, Jadon's Hope and their Climb4SMA campaign raised $45,753! Let me say it again — $45,753!!! A-mazing!!! The Burks family has worked tirelessly for the last six months to make this happen. They had a vision and with the help of many people, they brought it to life. They set their sights on a goal, organized friends and family, got their employers and community involved, called in favors, and made the Climb4SMA campaign a HUGE success! Thank you Tony and Kristin for taking this on, for your dedication and positivity throughout, and for having a material impact on moving gene therapy forward for all impacted by SMA.
Of course, an enormous thank you also goes to mountain climber Jim Baker! After nearly a year of preparation, Jim did something that not many can accomplish and few even try. His climb was the heart of the campaign and with Jadon on his mind, he successfully climbed Mount Aconcagua reaching 22,840 feet above sea level!!!
Nearing the summit, I was taking 3 or 4 breaths between each step…I especially want to thank Jadon Burks for inspiring me to keep pushing me past my limits. I reminded myself more than 100 times if that little boy can face life with a smile on his face, I can keep putting one more foot in front of the other. (Click HERE to read a full account of Jim's tremendous climb.)
And Jim isn't stopping. He already has his sights set on Mt. Rainier next June to Climb4SMA!!! Thank you Jim for truly bringing the SMA fight to new heights!!!
The Burks family obviously have so much to say and so many to thank (which you can READ HERE), but we want to make sure they know how very much we appreciate and recognize what they have done. To inspire so many people to get involved and to raise nearly $50,000 is no small task. It takes enormous planning, organization, and work — all while they are also working and caring for sweet Jadon! We truly felt honored to get to be a small part of Climb4SMA and get to work with this remarkable family. Thank you Burks family for believing in GSF and for being part of the “$200K for SMA” campaign. You are making a difference!!!