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Ultimate Hike For A Cure
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The Ultimate Hike For A Cure is a nonprofit organization based in New Hudson, Michigan, and founded in 2007 as a way to help bring attention to diabetes research and the plight of diabetics everywhere. With a stated goal of helping to show diabetics that “you shouldn't allow this disease prevent you from doing anything.” Founded by Ty Hover, the Ultimate Hike for A Cure (UHFAC) launched with the intent to bring about awareness of the growing issue of Diabetes in all of it's forms. As also stated on the hike's website “Most importantly, show diabetics everywhere that they can do anything while living with the same disorder that Ty has been living with for 30 years.” The Objective The Goal of UHFAC, as stated on their website, is as follows. “The goal of The Ultimate Hike For A Cure (UHFAC) is to help raise awareness of diabetes. We would also like to educate the public as to what it is like to live with diabetes. It is furthermore our goal to help inspire others to do something for diabetes and to prove to every diabetic that this disease should not stop you from doing anything you set your mind to. Those of us that have diabetes are regular people just like anybody else, but just need to take a few extra steps to stay healthy.” The Ultimate Hike For A Cure: The First Attempt The Ultimate Hike For A Cure's initial path was sat to take Ty through Canada via the Trans-Canadian Trail. A hiking path that traversing from the East Coast of Canada to Alaska. Preparations for the hike were underway several months before the attempt was made. With equipment being donated from outfitters, and a path selected for once Canada was reached, the hike picked up some steam and received some donations from private donors. Yet the vast majority of the hike would be funded by Ty Hover himself. As a one man hike, the amount of equipment Hover carried with him reportedly weighed nearly sixty pounds, coupled with rather unseasonable weather, the early going of the hike attempt was difficult. By May of 2009, the first attempt at The Ultimate Hike For A Cure was unsuccessful, after leaving Hart Plaza in Detroit, MI in March 2009. This was due to several health issues suffered by the founder and chairman of the UHFAC, Ty Hover. It was also due to many other financial and logistical problems. With these problems being addressed and a new Hike team in place, to give Ty Hover, Founder and Chairman, additional support and allow him to concentrate his efforts in the proper places. As addressed by Ty Hover on The Ultimate Hike for a Cure Blog: “Now, a first attempt was made in March 2009. But, due to a combination of logistical, financial, and physical problems, I was forced to abandon my quest 482 miles north of Detroit (40 miles south of Wawa, Ont.). I then had to be taken to the Hospital in Sault Ste. Marie, Mi.” On May 17th 2009, suffering from dehydration and heat exhaustion (as diabetics can be more prone to heat illness), the hike was stopped. Restructuring of the Hike Currently the Ultimate Hike For A Cure is undergoing some major changes staffing, and with sponsorship. The current team is strictly based on donated time from several members of the local community. Handling things from promotion of the hike, maintaining it's website, and scheduling interviews, and even fund raising. The current incarnation of the Ultimate Hike for a Cure is more "Grass Roots" in nature and no longer a one person operation. According to the Ultimate Hike website, sponsoring companies and associations include Backpacker Magazine, Eastern Michigan University, Bivouac Ann Arbor, National Outdoor Leadership School, and Pace Incorporated. The Ultimate Hike For A Cure: The Second Attempt Many changes have been made. Such as, Ty will NOT be hiking alone on this attempt. The UHFAC is actively recruiting select "Hike Team" members to accompany him on his journey to Alaska and help him raise awareness for diabetes to hopefully inspire others to do something in their community. Another major change also concerns the route. Due to the fact that the Trans Canadian Trail (TCT) is not completed along the north shore of Lake Superior, coupled with the fact that it is also very rugged and desolate terrain, we will not be hiking through that area this time around. The hike will also not begin in Detroit. Instead, the hike will begin in Michigan's State Capitol, Lansing. However, UHFAC is formulating the route and speaking with Michigan State University. The team is hoping to be able to launch from the MSU main campus in East Lansing. The current plan for the new route, will take the hike team due north from the Lansing/East Lansing area to St Ignace. From there they will head due west, along the northern tier of the US. The hike team will then crossover into Canada in either Montana or Idaho (depending upon trails and valleys in the Rocky Mountains). They will then link with the TCT in either Saskatchewan or Alberta. 
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