The Journey begins November 10, 2017 at Mammoth Cave National Park. Gil Schaenzle and Teddy begin what is the first of 51 Parks!

The Journey begins November 10, 2017 at Mammoth Cave National Park. Gil Schaenzle and Teddy begin what is the first of 51 Parks!

On August 4, 2018 Gil crossed the "Zebra Finish Line" at Rocky Mountain National Park having traveled 42,000 miles and walked, ran, and paddled 350 miles in 51 National Parks, 12 National Monuments, and 2 National Preserves in nine months. She was greeted by a vocal group of family, friends, patients, caregivers, and health care providers onsite and inspired thousands of people nationwide. 

Photos below are from Cuyahoga National Park in Ohio on June 2, 2018 where local NET patients, caregivers, and family showed up to greet Gil and a national TV crew captured it all!  Thank you to Ken and Cindy Ertel who opened up their home for the interview and helped coordinate the meet-up!  The segment aired Tuesday, July 31, 2018, on Megyn Kelly TODAY. THANKS to everyone who came out to greet or walk/run with Gil!

Gil’s Story in Her Words

My name is Gilberta Schaenzle, but everyone calls me Gil.  I grew up on a large cattle and sheep ranch in South Dakota.  Aside from my first 17 years, most of my life has been spent in Colorado.  It was in Boulder, CO where I met my wonderful husband, Fred. We just had our 26th anniversary.  We live in a little mountain town in Colorado called Evergreen.  

I was in Electrical Engineering until our beautiful daughter, Anna Rose was born in 1996.  It was then that I took on the most wonderful job in the world…Anna’s mom.  Anna was the whole package…intelligent, beautiful, and athletic.  She had a big heart and was generous.  I always felt humbled that God had chosen me to be her mom.  

In addition to being Anna’s mom, I was also team mom to various volleyball teams.  I love that many of the girls still call me Momma Gil.  In addition to being a ‘momma’ I like to travel, cook, run, ski, hike, do photography and I make custom handmade books and social invitations.

Anna Rose died on March 26th, 2017 from Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma, a rare NET cancer.  She was barely 21 when she got her wings.  One day when Anna was feeling especially terrible from chemo, I told her of my idea to run through all the National Parks.  I asked her if she would want to be my support vehicle driver when she had beat cancer and felt better.  Her reply was "No".  I asked why, and she replied that she was going to run all of them with me.  So, to honor Anna, I am going to go forward with our plan.  I also want to bring awareness to this insidious cancer.

Gil Schaenzle, Eric Liu, and cindy lovelace at a planning session in colorado.

Gil Schaenzle, Eric Liu, and cindy lovelace at a planning session in colorado.

Anna rose--described by friends and family as "the amazing anna". She was also " intelligent, loving, and a great volleyball player.".

Anna rose--described by friends and family as "the amazing anna". She was also " intelligent, loving, and a great volleyball player.".

The Schaenzle family L-R: Gil, Fred, anna rose

The Schaenzle family L-R: Gil, Fred, anna rose

Anna Rose's battle with NET cancer is unique, just as the stories are of every "zebra". CLICK HERE to read a timeline from her symptoms, to diagnosis, to surgery.

If you are a patient or caregiver, I hope you are inspired by my daughter's courageous spirit, if you are a physician or health care provider who treats NET patients, THANK YOU and please keep up the good work.

If you are anyone else touched by her story, please get educated and consider supporting our National Park journey with your positive thoughts and prayers, and consider a donation for Healing NET Foundation to continue their education and support of medical professionals to better understand and treat this disease.