Out of the dust and darkness, the headlights of two motorcoaches and a fleet of Subarus emerged as participants in Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada’s inaugural Trailblaze Challenge made their way to the starting line. It was early, 4:25 a.m. to be exact, but participants buzzed with a sleepy excitement as they approached Logandale Trailhead in Valley of Fire Backcountry. Waiting for them at basecamp was a blazing campfire and hundreds of stars.  This light in the darkness seemed fitting for an event centered on hope.

The Trailblaze Challenge, a 25-mile hike and fundraiser benefiting Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada, attracted outdoor enthusiasts of all levels. A three-month training program prepared participants physically, but the emotional work would be up to each hiker. For Las Vegas Metro Police Department (LVMPD) Chief, Jim LaRochelle, the hike had personal significance. His daughter, Rosa, was diagnosed with leukemia at eight-years-old.

“First and foremost, I’m here as a Make-A-Wish dad,” LaRochelle said at the Trailblaze welcome banquet on Friday night. After going through chemotherapy and treatment, Rosa was able to beat the cancer and wished for a trip to Universal Studios with her family. Her wish was granted in 2017.

“As a parent, you just want to see your kids happy,” LaRochelle continued. “When we went to Universal Studios and she wore her blue shirt, I cannot tell you the care and concern and hospitality and graciousness that those people at the park offered my daughter. She was the queen because of Make-A-Wish – she owned that park. It was really incredible.”

Other challenge participants also experienced the power of a wish firsthand. For Las Vegas resident Andrea Hadhazy, her involvement with the organization began after a friend’s child was diagnosed with a critical illness and received his wish. She then started volunteering and when the opportunity to participate in the challenge presented itself, she was among the first to accept it.

“It’s going to be a lot of work, but at the same time, it’s going to be awesome because you know what your efforts are going toward,” she said. “You feel like the center of the universe [when you are part of a wish], whether you’re the wish child or a family member. Having the opportunity to give that experience to other people, where they feel like they’re a red-carpet celebrity, is just phenomenal.” 

Each of the 52 Trailblaze participants received a wish child’s photo and story upon arrival at Rising Star Sports Ranch, the accommodations host for the weekend. When they were tired and didn’t think they could go on, the children provided additional motivation.

The hike was at parts grueling, but also beautiful. Perhaps a fitting metaphor for the ups and downs wish families go through as part of the wish child’s experience.

Each participant was expected to fundraise a minimum of $2,500 that would go directly to granting the wishes of critically ill children in Southern Nevada. Many participants exceeded that goal. But it was what they received in return that really fueled their hike – friendship, community, and a shared vision of providing a spark of hope for wish kids and families going through the unimaginable.

The sense of community around the event extended from participants to wish families to participating organizations. The City of Mesquite even declared February 5^th as ‘Make-A-Wish Day’ in honor of the event. Jennifer Vitale from Findlay Subaru of Las Vegas, the event’s presenting sponsor, showed up to support the two Subaru hikers who took on the Challenge.

“You know, coming out here I didn’t expect to really appreciate the experience as much as I have,” Vitale said, getting choked up. “What Make-A-Wish does throughout the year we support. We’ve done some wishes that have been amazing. But out of all the things we do in the community, this has probably been the most rewarding for us and we are so honored to be a part of it. I might even get out there and hike the 25 miles next year – you all are an inspiration.”

Sunday morning, the group showed up to breakfast with aching muscles but happy hearts and many new friends. The event concluded with everyone having a chance to share their experience and hear from Southern Nevada wish kids who had received wishes in the past and others who are waiting on their wishes to come true. The group vowed to make the next event even bigger to fuel even more wishes in the community.

“There’s one thing I’ve always had on my desk as a supervisor at Metro,” LaRochelle said to the group.  “It’s a sign that says: ‘To those who much is given, much is expected.’  I’d like to say to those in this room, what you have been giving back as part of this challenge is sincerely appreciated. From the bottom of my heart, this organization means a lot to my family. Thank you.”

Our Trailblazers have collectively raised over $205,000 thus far, with donations continuing to be accepted through March 1.

Click here to view photos from Hike Weekend!