Raleigh kids train to take on the Ultimate Hike to honor their cancer-fighting superheroes and sisters

Maggie Morton, 11, and Daniel Griffith, 12, have already made their 2019 New Year’s Resolution – to hike 28.3 miles in one day. Maggie will be hiking in honor of her sister, Violet, who was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma before her first birthday. Daniel will be hiking to honor his sister, Eve, who was diagnosed with bilateral Wilms’ tumor at age 2. Maggie will be completing the Ultimate Hike for the first time and Daniel will be making his first trek without a parent on the trail.

Maggie and Eve on hike

“Eve’s journey has definitely helped shape Daniel into the empathetic and selfless young man he is today, someone who doesn’t think twice about finding out how he can help others,” said Daniel’s mom, Christy. Daniel is in the 7th grade at Lufkin Road Middle School and enjoys camping with his Boy Scout Troop and volunteers to feed the food insecure.

“Growing up around Ultimate Hike, Maggie has volunteered and watched her parents and sister hike, so we’re excited she is going to be part of it too,” said father, Chris, who is one of the coaches for the Triangle training team. Maggie attends Sterling Montessori and loves art, singing, acrobatic dance, and playing in the woods.

Maggie and Violet on treatment

Today both Violet and Eve are doing great, but their entire families are aware of the need for research that will lead to more cures and less side effects for survivors.

Maggie, Violet, Eve and Daniel

Information meetings for the 2019 Foothills Trail Ultimate Hike will be held in January. To RSVP for a meeting, or to learn more, please visit www.ultimatehike.org/foothills.

In its ninth year, CureSearch’s Ultimate Hike is the only national hiking fundraiser dedicated to fighting children’s cancer, and the original 28.3 mile event on the Foothills trail. The Ultimate Hike program has raised more than $5 million for children’s cancer research to date. Support programs like these and donate today.

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