Name: Mary Gilbride
Age: 40
Hometown: Medford, NY

I am doing the Fire and Ice Iceland Trek for my amazing mother. She was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2012. She’s always been the center of our family and a true bright light shining everywhere she goes. She has shown me how to be strong and loving and given me the strength to do anything I put my mind to.

Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma means so much to me. It’s a way for me to know I am helping raise money for necessary research to prolong the lives of multiple myeloma patients as well as trying to find a cure. I’ve seen firsthand how research, drugs and stem cell transplants have saved lives. I may not have the background to do this myself, but I have fierce drive and voice to raise funds needed to help those who tirelessly work to find breakthroughs and a cure.

I specifically picked the Fire and Ice trek as it has been revealed by a DNA test that I am part Viking. What better way to pay homage to an unearthed heritage than by trekking the glaciers, volcanoes and mountains of Iceland while raising awareness for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.

I’m preparing for this trek by continuing to do CrossFit about five days a week. I’m adding a weighted vest to a lot of my running and work outs. As weather permits I am adding hiking with a weighted back pack as well.

Please help me and my fellow teammates create the loudest voice possible to raise awareness, hope and funds for new drug breakthroughs and a cure. You will be donating to an organization that directs over 90 percent of its total budget to research.