Tucson, AZ- In February 2008, Sirena Dufault began hiking the Arizona Trail, an 800-mile trail that crosses Arizona from its border with Mexico to the border with Utah. Now, Dufault, 35, has only eight miles left to go. She is hiking the trail to raise awareness for Fibromyalgia, a complex chronic pain disorder that affects an estimated 10 million Americans. Sirena developed post-traumatic fibromyalgia following an accident in 1997 in which she was hit by a car while walking across the street. The pain and fatigue worsened, resulting in her being bedridden for several months. Dufault began walking as a form of gentle exercise following her fibromyalgia diagnosis in 1998, and very gradually worked up to longer and longer hikes.
Dufault enjoyed the physical benefits of hiking so much that she decided to take on the 800-mile Arizona Trail. She is hiking to raise awareness for Fibromyalgia and is donating all proceeds from the hike to the National Fibromyalgia Association. “This experience has been so rewarding and has given me a deep appreciation for the diverse beauty found in the state of Arizona.” said Dufault. “And day after day of hiking, I found out that I am so much stronger than I ever dreamed possible. I want others with fibromyalgia to know that there is hope after the diagnosis.”
Dufault has hiked most of the trail solo in one- to five-day segments, but on May 12, Fibromyalgia Awareness Day, Sirena will complete the final eight miles of the Arizona Trail with a group of supporters. They will start out at the Tiger Mine Trailhead north of Oracle at 7 am and hike south to the American Flag Trailhead, arriving around 11 am. “I conceived the idea of hiking the Arizona Trail at this spot in May 2007,” says Dufault, “so it’s fitting that my hike ends here.” To see Sirena’s blog, pictures, and videos from the trail as well as to make a donation, visit her website Arizona Trail for Fibromyalgia at www.aztrail4fms.org.
Contact: Sirena Dufault
(520) 440-6242
aztrail4fms@
