To all Your Rope Team and FARF supporters,

I’d like to start this decade off by saying thank you for your continued support of Your Rope Team and the Fanconi Anemia Research Fund over the last 12 years. During these years, we have accomplished numerous climbs and raised over $200,000 for Fanconi anemia research. It is truly incredible that in this time, we have seen an increased average life expectancy of those with Fanconi anemia (FA) by almost 10 years. This is remarkable progress, and you played a direct role in making it happen. Results like this make us confident about future research success.

I was recently diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis (MG), a rare neuromuscular disease that results in my nerve endings not receiving all the nerve signals one needs. This leads to muscle fatigue, pain, and vision issues. We spent the better part of last year trying to obtain a diagnosis, which ultimately resulted in a spinal tap after the final climb in August on Sahale Mountain. The good news is that it could have been a worse diagnosis. I am managing MG with meds but, unfortunately, like FA, there is no cure. The worst thing I can do for my condition is to overexert myself, or exercise at all. My next personal mountain to climb is adjusting to this new normal after being so active my whole life. While my heart would love to climb again for those with Fanconi anemia, my body and doctors say no.