A Million Steps for Scleroderma

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Jim Hines is in his fifth year of Jim’s Scleroderma Million Steps Journey walking over 1 million steps for the Scleroderma Foundation of California each year over the last 4 years. He hiked five routes of the Camino de Santiago, i.e. Camino Frances (2021), Camino Portugues & Finisterre (2022), Camino de Norte (2023) and last year Camino La Plata. All routes end at the Cathedral Santiago de Compostela and the tomb of Saint James. During his campaign he has collected over $40,000 in donations.  

This year Jim 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 St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and the tombs of Saint Peter and Paul. (See Figure 1) Via Francigena Map. The Via Francigena Italy, itself an UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the halfway point on the Via Francigena, but still over 1000 KM (~620 miles) and well over 1M Steps for Jim’s Scleroderma Journey. Trip will take ~ 50 days. (See Figure 2) Via Francigena Italy Map.

Jim will start in the Alps at the Saint Bernard Pass (See Figure 3) 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 Figure 4) Via Francigena Signage. Jim will be doing this hike during the Catholics’ Jubilee Year 2025 pilgrimage. Jubilee 2025 was designated by the late Pope Francis as a year of Hope and a special year of spiritual renewal.  In Rome Jim hopes to enter Saint Peter’s square (See Figure 5), go through the Bronze Door for Pilgrims (See Figure 6) and receive a blessing from the new American Pope Leo.  Follow me along on my pilgrimage as we will post photos. Again, please donate to Scleroderma Foundation of California. 

Buon Cammino, 

Pilgrim Jim

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 below for Figure 1 Map Full Via Francigena from Canterbury, England; Figure 2 Map Via Francigena Italy; Figure 3 Saint Bernard Pass, Switzerland Start; Figure 4. Via Francigena Signage, Figure 5 Pilgrims in Rome, and Figure 6 Saint Peter's Bronze Door)