Help Robin raise $1,000,000 for 
AA&MDSIF, make your tax-deductible donation now!
Our Hair for 'Our Hike'
“Our Hike” may be rounding into it's last few days, but the staff at AA&MDSIF is willing to keep the fundraising effort going until December 31, 2006.
If “Our Hike” hits $500,000 by December 31,2006, these wonderful wacky women are willing to SHAVE THEIR HEADS!
'Our Hike' Bandanna
If you donate $25 or more, you will receive this “Our Hike” bandanna as a free gift!!
'Our Hike' Press Room
Find out more about issues that are important to people affected by bone marrow diseases.
Read More »
Help Gather Pledges for 'Our Hike'
Help Robin & Patty gather up pledges in your local community! Print out the pledge sheet and you can easily help raise hundreds of dollars for Our Hike by asking for pledges from your friends, family members, neighbors, co-workers, classmates and anyone else willing to help!
Download the Pledge Sheet (PDF) »Hike News
Download a PDF of this flyer and help spread the word!
Wisconsin Duo Hiking Across Country
Sacramento, CA
“A Wisconsin woman and her mother are just days away from completing a cross-country hike to raise awareness about a bone marrow disease called aplastic anemia.
Robin Grapa and Patty Laatsch, who have hiked more than 4,300 miles, are walking through the Sacramento area today.”
Read more at KCRA.com
Robin & Patty to appear at
the 2006 Patient & Family Conference
Nashville, TN
Approximately 250 other patients – like Robin – and their families, caregivers, significant others – like Patty – to gather in order to provide them the latest health information about their disease. Robin being there will give them the hope they so desperately need in order to realize it is possible to manage bone marrow disease through the realization that this young, incredible, and upbeat girl is hiking across the country just for them. Check out the photos »
July 7th - Surprise!
Denver, CO
On July 7th, Robin & Patty were caught by total surprise! The Denver Pharmion office, with the help of AA&MDSIF, orchestrated the most glorious birthday present for Robin…a surprise visit from her husband, Adam! Of course, Keith – Patty’s husband and Robin’s dad, also came along to surprise them as well. It was absolutely wonderful and Pharmion is completely to thank for coming up with the idea!
Jennifer Krammes, AA&MDSIF, coordinated the very believable story line for Robin & Patty to fall for; while Becki Pilner, Pharmion, made sure all the physical logistics were in place in Denver. Keith, who had just been out to visit Robin & Patty along the trail, made sure he did not cancel is scheduled trip, so they would not suspect a thing – and, he took care of handling things with Adam back in Wisconsin.
The day went like this… Jennifer made sure Robin & Patty thought they were being picked up by Becki so that Pharmion could bring them into Denver with a big media splash! (this would explain away why the media was at the B&B, once they got there) A pick up point was set, so Becki could easily locate them along the trail. Becki took them directly to the B&B – where an overnight stay was planned and sponsored by Pharmion. As soon as they arrived, they spotted the press and then spotted their husbands! They were surprised, happy, tearful, thrilled – and so thankful to Pharmion!
The next morning they headed off for a live television appearance— 
Windows Media Link
Robin & Patty started in Delaware this past February and have – thus far -- hiked through Maryland, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, and are almost entirely through the state of Colorado.
That is nearly 3,448 miles, which equates to 7,292,176 STEPS – can you imagine?
The goal is $1,000,000. It is now your turn to take steps to help THEM. Ask your friends, your family, your colleagues, your neighbors all to make donations. By the end of their trek across country, Robin & Patty will have taken 10,412,160 steps for bone marrow disease, for fellow patients, fellow caregivers, fellow parents, fellow sisters and brothers, for all of YOU touched by bone marrow disease. It is up to you now to take the steps necessary to push Our Hike to its goal of $1,000,000. Donate Now
Wednesday, May 31st, 2006:
Meet Robin & Patty, “Our Hikers”
Kansas City, KS
Meet Robin & Patty personally at an event planned just for them! They are taking a “zero-hike” day to relax in Kansas City with their supporters at a fundraising event planned by the Pharmion Corporation.
The location is Corporate Woods of Overland Park (Founder’s Park) at the northwest corner of College an Antioch Streets, Overland Park, Kansas 66210. Enjoy an outdoor BBQ lunch under the Shelter House at the Corporate Woods Office Park (look for the balloons). Cost per person is $5.00. Lunch will begin at 12:00 noon until 2:00 pm. For more information, contact Jill Kueser directly at 913.266.0333 or jkueser@pharmion.com.
Our Hike makes the news!
Many thanks to NBC affiliate KOMU-TV8 in Missouri for covering the mother daughter five-thousand mile charity hike across America. Click here to watch the video of Robin and Patty in Jefferson City, MO. Or click here to read the report from the source.
Saturday, May 6th, 2006: OUR HIKE Fundraiser
Valmeyer, Illinois
1,500 Miles Completed & only 3,500 to go! Robin & Patty – OUR HIKERS – will be in Valmeyer, IL for a fundraising event…come out to meet them personally and cheer them on! From 1-7pm, gather with other supporters of Our Hike at Bosch Memorial Park in Valmeyer, IL for a Pig Roast at 2pm ~ BYOB. Soutones of Swing will perform from 2-5pm and Miss Crystal & The Codgers will perform from 5-7pm. There will be fun for all – a 50/50 drawing, t-shirt sales, bravery bracelet sales, and much more! Advanced ticket sales are $20 per person, tickets sold at the event will be $25 per person. For more information, contact Margie at (618) 935-2999 – or to make your donation directly, contact AA&MDSIF (800) 747-2820, or do it conveniently online.
Saturday, April 29th, 2006: OUR HIKE Fundraiser
Phillips, WI
To mark 1,000 miles under their feet, Robin & Patty's hometown of Phillips, Wisconsin are hosting a fundraiser in their honor on Saturday, April 29th, beginning at 5:00 pm. Cost is $15.00 per person and includes a wonderful spaghetti supper at Club 13 (formerly SkyLine). The Elk River String Band will be there for everyone's enjoyment at 8:00 pm! There will be raffles and fun for all. Come out and celebrate this remarkable 1,000 mile achievement with a photo show of Robin & Patty as they trek across the Country. For more information, contact Ann Gisvold at 715.332.5245 or simply make a donation directly to Our Hike.
Our Hike makes the news!
Many thanks to ABC News 25 for covering the mother daughter five-thousand mile charity hike across America. Click here to watch a short video of Robin & Patty in Evansville, IN.
Help gather pledges for Our Hike
The most effective way for you to help Robin & Patty is to gather up pledges in your local community! Print out this pledge sheet and you can easily help raise hundreds of dollars for Our Hike by asking for pledges from your friends, family members, neighbors, co-workers, classmates and anyone else willing to help!
Our Hike makes the news!
Many thanks to Gannett Multimedia for supplying this video package for The Northwestern. Click here to watch a short video of Robin & Patty on the trail.
Our Hike Kick-Off Event in Washington, DC!
Robin & Patty met with representatives of Congress Friday, February 10th, headlining a reception held in their honor to raise awareness of bone marrow diseases. The afternoon was a huge success. The luncheon was attended by roughly 20 staff members of Representatives and Senators in Congress, as well as several other invited guests of the Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation (AA&MDSIF).
During the event, Robin discussed her personal bout with and recovery from aplastic anemia and her motivation for undertaking this cross-country journey with her mother. Robin asked all Congressional staff in attendance to contact local media outlets in their respective Congressional Districts to publicize “Our Hike.” Robin answered questions from staff about their hike and about bone marrow diseases. Two staff members from Representative Tom Petri’s office (R-WI) attended (this is Robin’s Congressional District). Rep. Petri subsequently issued a press release to his media contacts in Wisconsin.
Robin was introduced by AA&MDSIF President Marilyn Baker, who provided an overview about bone marrow diseases. Ms. Baker also called on all staff to encourage their Members of Congress to cosponsor H.Con.Res. 179, the Bone Marrow Disease Congressional Resolution. The luncheon was also attended by AA&MSIF Board Chairman Bob Carroll, who flew in from Connecticut, and Vice Chairman Neil Horikoshi from Montgomery County, MD.
A Great Big Fundraiser For Our Hike!
AA&MDSIF held a fundraising event to help Our Hike on Friday, February 10th. Held at the Annapolis Sheraton Hotel complete with complimentary hors d’oeurvres, wine and beer, the atmosphere was quite enjoyable. Patients, families and friends spent the time socializing to the sounds of Steve & Galen Blaine, a father-son group who graciously donated their time to bring the crowd their Celtic, blues, and jazz melodies.
When Mr. John Whitman, auction extraordinaire, took stage the room’s energy level took a notable change and the buzz began. The fun didn’t stop and the competition didn’t stagger until that last item was finally auctioned off…and everyone’s ribs hurt from laughing! Mr. Whitman is the absolute best auctioneer imaginable – incredibly effective, humorous, captivating, and quick. Thank you, Mr. Whitman – the event could not have been such a success without you. AA&MDSIF raised $6,200 for Our Hike!
Special thanks to everyone who donated items for auctioning. To those who attended and bid ~ your most generous donations and kind support of the event reach far across the Country to the many families suffering with bone marrow disease…Our Hike thanks you.
Robin & Patty Hit Washington, DC
This mother-daughter team from Wisconsin will be in Washington, DC on Friday, February 10th. Robin and Patty will be arriving at Sandy Point Park in Annapolis, Maryland on Thursday, February 9th. They plan to stay overnight, taking a zero-hike day on Friday to spend in Washington DC spreading as much awareness as possible.
Join AA&MDSIF at a fundraising event to help Robin & Patty on Friday, February 10th, at the Sheraton Annapolis Hotel from 5:30pm-7:30pm! There will be a live auction of wonderful items! The event includes live music, hors d’oeurves, wine, beer, and a cash bar. Tickets are $15.00 per person.
Robin on Radio 94.3 WROE
Robin took the time to give a radio interview one early morning on WROE, 94.3. Listen to her powerful story as told in her own voice. When you're done, help spread the word by sharing this MP3 file with anyone you can!
RobinGrapa-94.3-WROE.mp3 (690KB)
The 5,000+ Mile Hike Begins!
Robin and her mom, Patty, begin their hike across the country on Saturday, February 4th, at Cape Henlopen, Delaware. The official send off ceremony is 8:00am along the beautiful Atlantic Seashore of Delaware. Bring your family and friends to wish Robin and Patty the best as they begin this incredible journey!
See if Robin will be Hiking through your State