Heather LaPerle
Academic Advisor
Make-A-Wish Volunteer/Fundraiser
Heather LaPerle stands at the finish line for the Make-A-Wish Trailblaze Challenge fundraiser
Heather LaPerle’s (’05, Recreation, ’08, M.A. Educational Leadership) love of hiking hasn’t only generated a sense of well-being. She’s also generated thousands of dollars for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of San Diego.
It was a personal tragedy and her love of hiking that initially inspired LaPerle to explore the Make-A-Wish Trailblaze Challenge. “In January 2017, I lost my grandmother who was like a parent to me,” she said. “I was very depressed by her passing, and it wasn’t until December 2019 that I was starting to feel more like myself again. I knew that I needed to find an outlet for some self-care, and I went on the REI website to review workshops and classes when I found the free information session about the Make-A-Wish Trailblaze Challenge. From the moment I attended the information session in January 2020, I knew my life was going to change for the better.”
The Make-A-Wish Foundation of America schedules Trailblaze Challenges throughout the U.S. to raise the necessary funds that allow the organization to grant a wish to children diagnosed with a critical illness. The challenges consist of hikes that are 20 miles or longer and bring the families of the children together with the volunteer hikers/fundraisers for a day of fun and physical fitness.
Within 10 days of the information session, LaPerle, who had previously been an avid hiker before losing her grandmother, attended the organization’s first group training hike. After completing the second training session the following month, she had planned to participate in the Make-A-Wish 2020 Trailblaze Challenge which was to serve as a major fund-raiser for the organization.
But it wasn’t to be. COVID-19 shut down the hike — originally scheduled for May 30, 2020 — for a full year. “Finally, on May 22, 2021, I was able to complete the 28+ mile Trailblaze Challenge,” said LaPerle. “I raised $2,700 and I logged over 940 training miles during the previous 16 months.”
Since then, LaPerle completed the Trailblaze Challenge in 2022 and raised $10,500 as part of a 4-woman team dubbed Team Nature Babes. She is currently in training for the inaugural Make-A-Wish Trailblaze Backpacking Adventure and is planning a garage sale and trivia night to propel her toward her $2,500 fundraising goal.
“Since that first day at the information session, I have found a renewed sense of self, I became part of an amazing community and I have been able to bring awareness and raise money to make wishes happen for children with critical illnesses,” said LaPerle. “I’ve been able to complete all of the Trailblaze Challenges with a wish parent and meet their wish child, which was emotional and amazing!”
Video: LaPerle overcame double ankle sprains and fractures before she could begin training for the event (above), but was eventually able overcome her injuries and finish the race on June 4 (below)
