On July 13th, 2011, Robbie and Serenity Andrews (along with their dog Nola) are setting out to raise awareness about Aplastic Anemia along the Appalachian Trail - all the way from Maine to Georgia. Last fall their brother was diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia and now they want to help others who are facing the same thing.  

A lot of progress has been made toward the treatment of this disease and because of that progress Jordan Sielaff is alive today.  However, there is still fundamental research that needs to be done, and because it is such a little-known disease there is not a lot of funding for it.  Those who are told that they have Aplastic Anemia have usually never heard about the disease before and there is a lot of fear and uncertainties involved for them and their loved ones.  AA&MDSIF is dedicated to supporting patients and families living with aplastic anemia by providing answers, support and hope to thousands of patients and their families around the world as well as providing funding for the research of Aplastic Anemia and related bone marrow failure diseases.

Robbie and Serenity have a goal to raise $5 for each mile they hike.  All donations go directly to AA&MDS (Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation) and are tax-deductible.  AA&MDS spends 80% of its' annual budget directly on programs.  They have received a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator (America's largest independent evaluator of charities) for the last six years in a row.