Join Charlie on His Journey!

A Note from Charlie:

Hello! My name is Charlie O’Brien. Starting April 21,2024 I will be embarking on the 2,650 mile Pacific Crest Trail, an established backpacking trail from the Mexican Border in Southern California to the Canadian Border in Washington. While an adventure like this has been a desire of mine my whole life, the real motivation started on June 2, 2020 when I lost my Dad to suicide. This came as an absolute shock to me and my family. Since then, we have been challenging ourselves to carry on and honor the legacy my Dad left. In doing so, I have decided to team up with the CHRISCROSS Foundation to raise money in an effort to increase awareness & access to treatment for addiction, mental health and suicide prevention.

Why CHRISCROSS? As someone who has lost a family member to suicide, I know first hand how confusing and challenging life after can be and I will do everything in my power to help others combat this horrible disease. Additionally, CHRISCROSS’ mission and inspiration resonate deeply with me. Created in memorial of Chris Lasek, CHRISCROSS supports a variety of Wilderness Therapy Centers sponsoring young people to receive extended treatment. Also, the CHRISCROSS logo is inspired by Chris’s love for the sport of lacrosse. Since the loss of my Dad I have relied on two main sources of comfort: the Great Outdoors and the game of lacrosse.

My Dad’s love for the outdoors started at a young age going on family camping trips all throughout the Northeast which eventually led to him to go through the Boy Scouts and become an Eagle Scout. This passion for the outdoors was quickly transferred to my family. I have many fond memories of rainy weekend camping trips in Wisconsin and canoeing through the Boundary Waters in Canada. These early memories have led to my passion for outdoor adventure and my desire to hike 20+ miles a day for four months in my pursuit to walk the entire Pacific Crest Trail.

My Dad grew up in a place where lacrosse was a way of life, and eventually went on to play at the University of Notre Dame. After college and when I was young, my Dad helped to start various youth programs in the Western Suburbs of Illinois and eventually went on to start the program at my high school, IC Catholic Prep. He coached for nearly 10 years and was able to coach both of my brothers and me.  Since his death, I have been fortunate to carry on his legacy as an Assistant Coach for the IC Lacrosse team, a role that continues to deepen my connection to my late father.

It has been through these two passions where I have gathered strength, perseverance, and purpose; three pillars I will rely on while being consistently tested by the elements over the next four months. That, combined with support from you all! Thank you for cheering me on and sending love along the way