Hiking for Miracles 2025

To donate to a U.S. children’s hospital, click here.

Hiking for Miracles

Hiking the Appalachian Trail to make a difference at your local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals

Laurie Gagnier

Hi Everyone!

My name is Laurie Gagnier, but I go by the trail name "Canadian Bacon".

I am a 54 year old Mother of 3, and grandmother of 6, I am a cancer survivor and I have led a very charmed life. 

I will be hiking approximately 2,197 miles / 3,536 KMs along the Appalachian Trail, one of the longest continuous footpaths in North America. The trail, which celebrates it’s 100th year in 2025, follows the Appalachian Mountains from Georgia to Maine.  Thousands of people start but only about 25% actually complete the trail.  Let’s do hard things, shall we?

In honour of the thousands of kids that need these hospitals, who face tough diseases and treatments, the parents and family members that hold their hands, and the staff that make it happen, I will be hiking this incredible trail and embrace the uncomfortable ups and downs along the way. It seems only fitting that I have to do hard things too.

I am paying for all the costs of the trip myself - so every penny raised goes to the children’s hospital foundation along my journey that span the U.S. and Canada.  (Your donation goes to your local Children’s Hospital based on Province or Zip Code).

See my route https://nps.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6298c848ba2a490588b7f6d25453e4e0

Why am I doing this?

Well, When I turned 50 in 2020, it was celebrated by fighting breast cancer. As I was going through radiation in June of 2020, there was a day when I was feeling pretty rough, and very sorry for myself. I looked up as I heard the noise of a hospital bed coming down the hall.

On that bed I saw an absolute HERO. He couldn't have been more than 4 or 5 years old. I may never know his name or what he was fighting, but it was obvious it was a pretty big fight. As I watched him roll by for his treatment with his Mom walking behind with a bag full of books and toys to keep him happy, I felt the fear, uncertainty and complete courage it was taking them. I immediately broke down and started to cry.

Not some little tear down the cheek, quiet kind of cry...it was the all out bouncing shoulders, chest heaving sobs, nose running, can't stop it if I even wanted to kind of cry.

I have always been a CMN supporter, donating a portion of my income for 25 years through the Miracle Home Program as a RE/MAX REALTOR®, as well as being what I call a "Couch potato Giver" - happily supporting anyone that is fundraising for the hospitals. 

But this hit me differently and has become my "Why". I can understand fighting a disease as an adult, in a life half lived already...but every fibre of my being was overtaken by a feeling of how inherently wrong it is for ANY child to have to fight anything. I realized CMN Hospitals had been there for all the scrapes, minor surgeries and everything in between. Not only for me, but for my kids and grandkids. I had spent years taking them for granted.

Seeing a 4 year old roll through the Hospital’s radiation section because obviously the children’s hospital was overrun that day BROKE. MY. HEART.  Something changed in me that day and I have spent the last 5 years as I approach my own cancer “all clear” preparing for this very hike.

In my own small way, I want to support all the heroic kids AND their parents, AND incredible staff at CMN, that are fighting every single day. They are all the real heroes.

I ask you to join me on my journey and donate to Hiking for Miracles.  I know the last 5 years have been a struggle for everyone, physically, mentally and financially. Anything you can spare will be welcome, but also know that just words of support, or sharing the endeavour within your circles is more than enough! Whether it's the value of a fancy coffee or more, I am grateful for every penny that I can direct to children’s hospitals.

I know the path ahead of me will be rough but know there will be beautiful days as well.  Follow my journey where I’ll be posting pics and videos along the way.  Hope you’ll join me.

You can follow along on Instagram - @hikingformiracles or the YouTube Channel

 To donate to a U.S. children’s hospital, click here.

Here's my route: https://nps.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6298c848ba2a490588b7f6d25453e4e0