“I love kids and I hate cancer,” says Jacki Dalsimer. Dalsimer, a certified life coach, was one of a team of participants in the annual Just In Power Kids Maryland Trek (JIPK) last week.
Every year, this week-long event brings together runners and cyclists to traverse 329 miles from Wisp Mountain Resort in western Maryland to the beach at Ocean City. The teams are raising funds to provide holistic and integrative therapies for children going through cancer treatment and their families. “I heard about the trek from a friend who took my spin classes,” says Dalsimer. The friend has since moved to California and doesn’t participate in the Trek, but Dalsimer says they were messaging the whole time.
“Knowing kids are battling cancer breaks my heart and motivates me to use my athleticism for an amazing nonprofit. Knowing that I am in service to these kids and families fills my cup. This is my fifth trek! My sister is a breast cancer survivor. During her treatments, I witnessed a huge impact on her mental and physical strength when she started receiving holistic treatments in conjunction with her treatments at the hospital.” Dalsimer also serves on the 501(c)(3) organization’s board.
The participants know they’ll have aches and pains for a few days, but realize they’re nothing compared to the problems the children and their families face. Cheers, and encouraging signs from spectators along the way also ease any discomfort. “JIPK provides services to a minimum of 155 families,” says Justin Berk, the event founder and local meteorologist. The services the trek helps fund include free parking for medical appointments at Johns Hopkins Hospital, a NINJA smoothie maker, home delivery of Top Chef meals, a food pantry at Johns Hopkins, and expenses not covered by insurance.
Funds also go to adjacent operations. Ariella Strong was honored twice and participated in Kids Trek Too, a day during the trek when children and families join the trekkers along the B&A Trail. Her parents created Ari’s Bears in her memory and distribute stuffed bears and other toys to children fighting illness and their siblings, who often feel left out or forgotten. Ari’s Bears was the first of five organizations to receive a $5,000 endowment this year.
To be a Power Kid, the child must be under 18 years old; a resident of Maryland or be treated at a Maryland hospital, and currently enrolled in treatment for cancer, or have been through treatment within the last five years. Seven children in treatment are honored each day of the Trek. They’re a cross-section of the families served, selected by age, gender, type of cancer, geography, and whether the families are open to being in the public.
Full-week participants are required to commit to raising at least $5,000. There’s a limit of ten full-week trekkers. Other people sign up for a day or two ($250 in donations), a biking day, or the Kids Trek Too day. There were 25 bikers on day four this year.
“Do I plan to do it again next year? If you asked me on days one through three, I would have said no way,” says Dalsimer. “Today, on day 5, I will be back. I have raised $23,000 in my first four years.” (She was at $5,016 when we spoke last.) The trek has a goal of $140,000 this year ($112,330 so far).
From Wisp, the group stops at Cumberland, Hancock, Frederick, Elkridge (with an extended stop in Sykesville), Kent Island, Sharptown, and then Ocean City.
But how do they get across the Bay Bridge since walkers and cyclists are prohibited? Walter George, president and CEO of Annapolis Boat Sales, answers that challenge. George helms a boat transporting the participants from Annapolis to Kent Island. “I have been doing the Trek for five years. I have four kids myself so this really hits home for me. It’s nice being able to support this event with my passion for boats and the water,” he said.
Other participants and volunteers in the 10th trek include Shannon Berk, Beth Nave, Mark Haney, David Stein, Erica Stein, Chris Carroll, Yoni Sapir, Kenneth Clemons, Katy Myers, Jason Schwinabart, Eric Grosh, Jamie Sullivan, Larry Rogers, Michael Caldwell, Kelly Coward, Jon Bisset, Brian Hunter, Jeff Dalik, Robert Muhl, Marc Calderone, Chris Currence, Anji Gravitt, Susan Krieger, Sandy MacIver, Dan Rosenberg, Todd Wilson, Sarah Myers, and Mandy Buell.
Donations are still being accepted: https://marylandtrek.com/.
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