10 YEAR SURVIVOR!!!When he was just 10 years old, Duncan complained of having severe pains in his neck. So much so that we would hear him crying in his sleep.  After an emergency room visit discovered that he had a tumor in his cervical spine that required immediate surgery, we were told he had a rare blood cancer, Langerhan's Cell Histiocytosis, LCH for short.

Our world turned upside down.  Duncan underwent spinal surgery, 9 months of chemotherapy, and countless amounts of blood work, MRIs and CT Scans.  Life became filled with medical paperwork, scheduling appointments, distributing meds, and home instruction until his counts were safe enough to be around other children.  But we made it through with support from family and friends.

It was when his LCH reoccurred one year later that we truly needed support.  The chemotherapy was now a year long and the method caused pain and a great deal of anxiety for Duncan. Enter The Histiocytosis Association.  I first found the Histiocytosis Association when looking for answers online. Being a nature lover the Histio Hike in Shenandoah called to me.  So I joined, accompanied by my mother, sister, and niece. After hearing another boy speak about his journey I realized that we were not alone in this. Duncan was not alone in this.  We've been hiking with Duncan ever since! (Even kept the hikes going virtually during the height of Covid).

So why do I ask that you help us raise critical funds for histiocytic disorders like LCH? Because the Histiocytosis Association is dedicated to supporting and empowering the patients and families who live with these devastating diseases every day.  Because Duncan is a Histio Survivor  and the Histiocytosis Association is part of his success story.

Once again we will hike the long hike to help bring success to the countless children and adults who battle with histiocytosis and to bring comfort to those who have lost their battle. Our motto..."2 more miles" keeps us moving forward, just like Duncan has been doing.

So won't you please help us reach our fundraising goal. Make a gift today or join the hike to see what all the fuss is about! Can't hike in person? There is a virtual option for those of you who are out of town or out of the country (hint hint!)

This association means the world to me. Thank you for supporting my son, our Histio family and friends, and the Histiocytosis Association.

Peace, love & good health to all!

The Mara Family

 Please note: the fundraising thermometers track both donations and registration fees. Registration fees are used to cover a portion of the costs of running Histio Hike Shenandoah. The remaining costs are donated by the event hosts. One-hundred percent of donations go to the Histiocytosis Association in support of its mission and programs.