On Feb. 15, a man from East Grand Rapids began a 2,190 mile thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail to raise money for the Pediatric Oncology Resource Team and neuroblastoma research at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital.

Patrick "Kamper" Kampf's 3 1/2-year-old daughter Lily was diagnosed with High Risk Stage IV Neuroblastoma in March of 2005.

Helen DeVos Children's Hospital says, "Neuroblastoma is a rare form of cancer that usually affects infants and young children. It is a solid cancerous tumor that typically starts in the tissue of the adrenal glands or spinal nerves, and then spreads to other parts of the body."

Lily was treated at Helen DeVos Childrenʼs Hospital. Today, she is a happy and healthy 18-year-old.

Kamper is hiking in honor of Lily and in memory of three girls that were fighting the same disease: Ashleigh Marie Kieliszewski, Molly Allison Cavera and Sarah Danielle Kaper.

Kamper's hike will take about six months to complete. He will be providing video updates throughout the journey.

Here are some suggested donation amounts:

  • 1 cent per mile: $21.90
  • 2 cents per mile: $43.80
  • 3 cents per mile: $65.70
  • 5 cents per mile: $109.50
  • 10 cents per mile: $219
  • 25 cents per mile: $547.50
  • 50 cents per mile: $1,095

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