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Nuvation Hikes Against Rare Disease
  At 5:45 AM on Sunday September 21, 2003 appoximately 100 brave souls strode out into a cool Yosemite morning, taking the first steps of a hike of approximately 20 miles from Curry Village to the top of Half Dome and back, up and down 4,800 vertical feet. Among the group was a little boy, a bit small for his age of 5, named Anton. Bouncing lightly as he was carried in a child pack, Anton spouted jovially, "faster, faster!", and those close enough to hear smiled and laughed at his well of enthusiasm. As hikers passed, many greeted Anton by name, who replied with a cheerful "hi" and big smile.
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For this weekend, hikers had come from near and far. Some had trained and some had simply shown up. Some were new to this event and others had been there all three years. Every one of them, however, was there for the same reason: Anton & the annual "Hike for a Cure".
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 When Anton was only 3 months old, he was diagnosed with an extraordinarily rare but virulent blood disease called Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis. Overactive white blood cells were attacking Anton's own body, the result of a hypersensitive immune system. Only through months of chemotherapy could Anton's body be coaxed into a state of balance. Since then, Anton has been in remission, growing, running, laughing and playing just like any other boy- but his parents still keep a close eye. For more on Anton's story, read the article in the Contra Costa Times.
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"Histiocytosis affects roughly 1 in 200,000 children born each year in the United States. Histiocytosis is so rare that there is little research into its cause and treatment and is often referred to as an "orphan disease", meaning it strikes too few people to generate government-supported research."
Most of the funding for research into Anton's disease comes from events like "Hike for a Cure", a point that has inspired many to take up the flag. For the third year in a row, Nuvation and its employees have taken this event to be their own- bringing new and inspiring stories to this years hike.
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 Each year, Michael Worry, Nuvation's CEO, helps carry Anton and his pack up the mountain- this year was no exception. "For a kid who stared down death and won, Anton is incredibly happy and energetic, living everyday with joy, love and wonder. He lives fearless and free. Anton is a lesson to us all, as we sometimes allow the trivialities of our day to cause us stress and frustration, that we are all exceptionally fortunate to be healthy, fed, sheltered and loved. The rest is just details. Have fun with the details. If the price to remember this is no more than carrying a kid to the top of a mountain each year, I have a very good deal."
- Michael Worry
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New this year was Nuvation's "Hike for a Cure" Watermelon Service. Several Nuvation employees hauled different kinds of melons to the top of Half Dome, and handed out free melon slices with business cards and a short explanation of the whys and whats of "Hike for a Cure". This event was a rousing success, refreshing many an unknown hiker who, later, came down the hill considering participation in next year's "Hike for a Cure".
While each person brings something different home, all are reminded at least once: the hike is but a hint of the challenge this brave boy and those like him have already endured on their own. This is the least we can do.
Plans are already underway at Nuvation for next year's 2004 "Hike for a Cure"- helping it to become the best one yet. Please join us on September 19th, 2004 at Curry Village, Yosemite National Park. To join the hike or become a sponsor, you may contact anyone at Nuvation or the Hike For A Cure organizers, Ron and Colleen McPeek, at info@hikeforacure.com.
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