Event Details
Date and time
June 20, 2026 08:00 AM
2nd Annual Hike AT VA For ALZ Initiative
On June 20, 2026, we will meet at the Humpback Rocks Visitor Center (MP 5.8 on the Blue Ridge Parkway) at 7:45 AM. Teams and hikers can choose from various distances, including a gentle one mile out and back to the trailhead, a more strenuous four mile climb/loop to Humpback Rocks and back to the Visitors Center, and the full 11-mile hike to Three Ridges Overlook at MP 13.1. We’ll hit the trail by 8:00 AM and gather back together in Charlottesville at Three Notch'd Brewery (near Ix Park) at 6:00 PM for an après-hike celebration with family, friends, and supporters.
My grandmother and mother both had Alzheimer’s. I remember watching my father care for his mother when I was a teenager—only to live through it again years later as he became my mother’s primary caregiver for seven long years. They both passed away in 2023, victims of the same cruel disease. My wife Kelly was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014. Ten years later, after following a rigorous but clear treatment plan, she’s living a full, joyous life—cancer-free. I’m now investing my time, energy, and passion into the Alzheimer’s Association to honor my grandmother, mother, and father—and to help other families facing this devastating illness discover a plan of hope that can lead to a life filled with joy, even without a cure.
A few years ago, Kelly and I committed to section-hiking the Appalachian Trail (AT), a 14-state, 2,200-mile journey from Georgia to Maine, including 550 miles in Virginia. HIKE the AT in VA for ALZ combines our love of the outdoors with two bold goals: to hike the entire trail and to help rid the world of Alzheimer’s and all forms of dementia.
Our Year-Two Goals:
1. Raise a minimum total of $2,000 per mile, collectively from 11 teams and/or corporate partners + an additional $3,000 in general donations.
2. Provide Alzheimer’s education programs to employees of our corporate and organizational partners and amplify the cause through their media and marketing channels.
3. Continue to improve and create a scalable model/playbook to expand the program across Virginia and eventually the entire AT.
How to Get Involved:
1. Sponsor a Mile/Team—Form a team, raise private donations, and bring in a corporate or organizational partner. And/or, if you're a company, lead the charge and encourage employee participation.
2. Participate — Hike with us to honor a loved one impacted by Alzheimer’s, help shuttle hikers, or join the celebration at our après-hike party.
3. Donate—If you can’t form a team or join the hike, contribute to the cause by donating to the primary HIKE the AT in VA for ALZ team
Thank you to all our supporters
$300
Top supporter
Sponsor
David And Kelly Johnston
Feb 10, 2026
$300
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Mike And Donna Johnston
Feb 10, 2026
Great job with this event, thank you for doing this.
$300
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Roger Gildersleeve
Apr 04, 2026
I’ll probably be in Austin for Lilian’s birthday but would love to walkabout again soon.
$200
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Barbara Wilson
Feb 12, 2026
So proud of you for getting involved in this
$200
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Holloways
Feb 12, 2026
$100
Top supporter
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The Marshall Family
Feb 11, 2026
In memory of Bill Colombell
$100
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Jan Ruta
Feb 11, 2026
Thanks Michael for reaching out and helping with a cause that we know all to well in our family. Love You!
$100
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Anonymous
Apr 30, 2026
$100
Top supporter
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Michael Wilson
Feb 11, 2026
$100
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David And Kim
Feb 12, 2026
$100
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Debbie Boll
Apr 02, 2026
In memory of my mom, Lynda Allanach - thank you for your advocacy!
$100
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Judith Hoke
Mar 29, 2026
Would love to hike on June 20th if I am able.
$100
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Lawrence Meli
Feb 13, 2026
$100
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George Hoke
Mar 23, 2026
$100
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Kim And Pat Wilson
Apr 14, 2026
💜
$100
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Mark & Alisa Christensen
Feb 21, 2026
❤️
$75
Top supporter
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Larry Wilson
Feb 12, 2026
$50
Top supporter
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Matt And Eliza Holland
Apr 08, 2026
Great cause! Good luck!
$50
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Anonymous
Mar 05, 2026
$50
Top supporter
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Jenny Mcmanus
Feb 21, 2026
$50
Top supporter
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Tim Ward
Feb 20, 2026
$50
Top supporter
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David Johnston
Dec 19, 2025
$50
Top supporter
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Meghan Geraghty
Apr 16, 2026
Enjoy the hike!
$50
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Maggie Robertson
Feb 12, 2026
$50
Top supporter
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Dana Trujillo
Feb 12, 2026
$50
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Ann Black
May 01, 2026
$35
Top supporter
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Carey Gerwig Jones
Feb 19, 2026
A good cause, also have this in my family. Happy hiking..
$35
Top supporter
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Anonymous
Feb 12, 2026
$25
Top supporter
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Caitlin Kennedy
Mar 06, 2026
$25
Top supporter
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Emily Rosson
May 01, 2026
$25
Top supporter
Sponsor
Anonymous
May 01, 2026
$20
Top supporter
Sponsor
Blake Wilson
Feb 18, 2026
$20
Top supporter
Sponsor
Riley Wilson
Feb 11, 2026
My achievements
First Donation
First Donation
Raised 25%
Raised 25%
Raised 50%
Raised 50%
Raised 75%
Raised 75%
Reached Goal
Reached goal
