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A Million Steps for Scleroderma
Jim’s Scleroderma Million Steps Journey
Jim Hines is in his fifth year of Jim’s Scleroderma Million Steps Journey walking over 4 million steps for the Scleroderma Foundation of California. Jim is a caregiver for his wife Roberta who had been diagnosed with Scleroderma over 20 years. He has hiked a million steps on each of four Caminos, i.e. Camino Frances (2021), Camino Portugues (2022), Camino de Norte (2023) and last year Camino La Plata. During his campaign he has collected over $40,000 in donations. This year 2025 he is planning to hike The Via Francigena Italy, a portion of the Via Francigena, a 1000 year old pilgrimage route extending from Canterbury England all the way to Rome. Over the centuries clergyman, pilgrims and adventurers followed this important road on their pilgrimage to Rome and the tombs of Saint Peter and Paul. The Via Francigena Italy is the halfway point for the Via Francigena but is still over 1000 KM long (~620 miles) and well over 1M steps starting in the Saint Bernard Pass in the Switzerland Alps and ending in Rome. Via Francigena Italy is itself an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Jim will start in the Alps and then pass through seven of the central northern Italian regions, i.e. Valle d'Aosta, Piedmont, Lombardy, Liguria, Emilia Romagna, Tuscany and Lazio until he reaches Rome. See Photo. Jim will be doing this during Jubilee Year 2025 designated by the late Pope Francis as a year Hope special year of remission of sins, debts and universal pardon for Catholics. For more information on Jim’s Journey, See 04-On foot from the Great St Bernard Pass to Rome. 04-On foot from the Great St Bernard Pass to Rome
See Figure 1 Map Full Via Francigena from Canterbury, England and Figure 2 Map Via Francigena Italy from Saint Bernard Pass, Switzerland. Figure 3. Via Francigena Signage, Figure 4 Saint Bernard Pass Starting Point, Figure 5 Tuscany Vineyards, and Figure 6 Pilgrims in Rome
Figure 1 Map Full Via Francigena from Canterbury, England
Figure 1: Via Francigena Italy
Figure 1: Route Signage
Figure 1: Saint Bernard Pass Starting Point
Figure 1: Tuscany Vineyards
Figure 1: Pilgrims In Rome
Figure 2. Map Via Francigena Italy from Saint Bernard Pass, Switzerland.
My journeys have raised over $40,000 to support the Scleroderma Foundation of California and this year I plan to recognize, pray and collect donations to help scleroderma – Camino de Santiago “The Way.”
THIS YEAR A GENEROUS DONOR CHALLENGED US TO RAISE $10,000 IF WE DO, THEY HAVE AGREED TO MATCH ALL DONATIONS!! - doubling the impact of your gift!
Please follow me on my journey. I will post my thoughts, photos and overall experience on my journey and every little bit will help.
As pilgrims begin their day, they address each other by chanting “Buen (Good) Camino (Way)” in anticipation of a rewarding day, each day.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT and so for now...“Buen Camino.”
MEET SARA DERMA MY OWL MASCOT
As part of the Via Francigena Italy, Jim will be accompanied by Sara Derma.
Sara, a happy plush toy owl, is the color teal representative of Scleroderma. Note Scleroderma scarf (photos).
Sara was chosen since an owl historically has been a symbol of wisdom, knowledge, and contemplation for centuries and supposed to bring happiness, wealth, health, and love. Furthermore, it is an animal that represents the spirit world and carries messages from it to ours.
Throughout the Via Francigena Italy you will see photos of Sara making her Way through fields, forests, vineyards, villages, cities and historical sites.