October 9th marked the start of Family Reach’s first ever Reach Athlete Extreme Challenge. With the goals of making an impact for cancer patients and taking on a new adventure, 13 team members ventured to the Grand Canyon with their hiking boots.

This incredible team hiked 48 miles through the canyon – from the South Rim, to the North Rim, and then back again – over the course of 3 days! On top of that, they raised more than $60,000 for families facing the financial barriers of cancer.

This one-of-a-kind excursion challenged these Reach Athletes to push their limits as they faced extreme temperature changes, rocky trails, and up to 10 hours of hiking a day. The beautiful views and group determination pushed them forward as they conquered each day with admirable strength.

“Each Reach Athlete brought their best self and embraced the team and Family Reach’s mission wholeheartedly,” said Amanda Bruneau, team leader and organizer. “The Grand Canyon is beautiful and the hike was epic, but the x-factor that enhanced the trip was each one of them. They all brought something special to the team and I can’t thank them enough for jumping on this crazy ride!”

Cheers to the Grand Canyon team for raising the bar for Reach Athletes! We can’t wait to see what you take on next.