1000 Miles through the Wilds of Washington and Oregon for International Medical Aid

Mara Jeffress embarked in the June 2005 on a 1,000 mile solo backpacking trek along the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) of the United States, and is still seeking contributions to assist Doctors Without Borders (also known as Médecins Sans Frontières or MSF).

Jeffress, a medical scientist, who graduated from the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington, in August 2004 with a Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular Biology, now lives in California. Currently, she is working as a medical scientist after completeing a 1000 mile hike from Canada to Califormia.

You may want to track her progress on the map and check out her trail journal which includes PICTURES of the hike.

After examining the missions, budgets and fundraising efficiencies of several aid organizations, Jeffress decided to raise money for Doctors without Borders, which, according to Forbes magazine, spends 86% of its income directly on program services, such as sending doctors to aid tsunami victims in South East Asia. Founded in 1971 on the belief that all people have a right to medical care, Doctors without Borders delivers emergency aid to victims of armed conflict, epidemics, and natural and man-made disasters, and to others who lack health care due to social or geographical isolation.

Jeffress is one of the few women tackle the Pacific Crest Trail alone. She hiked the 1,000 miles of trail from the Canadian border through the Cascade Mountains of Washington and Oregon for charity and plans to someday continue through California to Mexico to complete the entire 2,650 miles of the PCT. The trek began in June, and ended August 13th. Jeffress made the journey with a small lightweight backpack containing everything she needs to survive for several months in the wilderness including food and water.

You can find her outdoor credentials here.

THANKS TO ALL THE DONORS!