I will be going on a journey. A journey for a life. A journey that has called me and speaks to my heart. A journey to honor the life of my mother, Mary E Hesch, whose life was cut far too short on April 3, 1997 from Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. 

On September 15, 2021, I will begin a pilgrimage walk of 1,440 miles to honor the life of my mother. I will start from my home in central Wisconsin and end on December 30, 2021 in Port Aransas, Texas. This is where my mother‘s ashes were scattered in the ocean after her death. I will be joined by wonderful friends to help me on my walk. Clarence and Joan Dold will accompany me along the entire route. Also, my wife Paige will join me once a month along the route to help as well. I couldn't do this without their support! When I arrive I will be greeted and joined by my siblings, their families, my father and his wife Lois for a 25 year anniversary and celebration of my mother's life.

My mother was an amazing woman. She raised six children with love, kindness and modeled a passion for life. She was an incredible mother. She loved walking. She loved traveling. She loved to read and work crossword puzzles. She loved making the holidays special with decoration and cheer, especially for Christmas. She was a fabulous gourmet cook. She was a devoted and loving wife. She had a mesmerizing and wonderful voice, performing powerful songs from weddings to funerals, from local radio shows to theater starring roles. She was simply an amazing human being.

I have always been honored and touched to be named after my mother. I absolutely treasure and cherish being given the name Mary Hesch.

My father remarried years after my mother’s passing. It was my stepmom’s daughter's idea to walk for charity. My step mom then suggested that the charity could be for pulmonary fibrosis which caused my mother’s death. I decided to run with that idea! I have connected and partnered with the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF). My journey is now bigger than life.  My journey now has a bigger purpose. My journey could now help the life of others that are struggling with this disease. A disease with an unknown cause. A disease once diagnosed, comes with no known cure. 

I hope one day that changes.

I am proud to lead the way toward a world without pulmonary fibrosis (PF) as part of Team PFF. I hope you will join me as I raise funds to benefit the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) and walk cross country. Pulmonary fibrosis is a deadly and complex disease that causes progressive scarring in the lungs. PF affects over 200,000 Americans annually and 50,000 people will be diagnosed this year alone. While there is still significant work to be done, progress in the fight against pulmonary fibrosis is being made. Your generosity allows the PFF to expand essential efforts for the PF community.

For more information on how your gift will make a difference in the lives of PF patients and their families, please visit www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org.

Thank you in advance for your generous support!