Jeremy Baldwin (left) and Chairman Mark Orton From the overlook near Stoney Man Mountain during the 2002 Hike.	I have always felt a sense of fulfillment when spending time volunteering for worthy causes. This led me to an idea of organizing a charity hike along the Appalachian Trail, through the Shenandoah National Park near my parents' home in Virginia. So, you might ask, what made me decide to do this hike?

The idea originated while reading a book titled A Walk For Sunshine, by Jeff Alt. His story inspired me.

Why do this for the Diabetes Action Research and Education Foundation?

Diabetes is a disease that has affected my family very deeply. Both my Grandmother and my Aunt Debi are diabetic. The decision to dedicate the hike to raising money for the Diabetes Foundation was a natural one.

Take a look at this newspaper article about the Hike for Hope, from Tailwind, the newspaper of Travis Air Force Base. You can also read this article, "All About Hope," by a friend of mine. And finally, here's an essay entitled "Living With It," written by my aunt, Debi Orton. She's recorded an abbreviated version of it for WAMC, an Albany, NY public radio station. It was broadcast on May 20, 2002. And we've made the national news ... Check out The Good News Network site, which features "It's All About Hope," an article about the hike written by my aunt.

For a brief explanation of how diabetes has affected one family, please read this.

Visit our donations page to find out how YOU can help us and the Diabetes Action Research and Education Foundation to teach people how to prevent diabetes, and to help those who already have diabetes live with the disease.

Link to the slide show with commentary from Mark. Or click on each day on the map above to see photos from that day.

Deep Woods of the Staunton River Valley by Andy Hiltz, Eastern Landscape Galleries

Meet Mark and Jeremy.

CONTACT MARK