Braiding Currents is about a long distance journey on the Missouri and Mississippi rivers and an effort to help find a cure for pediatric cancer.

Alex Scott, a young girl diagnosed with cancer, started Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation with one front yard lemonade stand. Today, ALSF has raised over $150 million and has funded over 800 research grants at institutions around the U.S. and Canada. It all started with one cup of lemonade. While I won't sell much lemonade I am going to paddle a canoe for 3400 miles from southwest Montana to The Gulf of Mexico  in an effort to raise money for childhood cancer research. The trip should take about 4 months.

Following the path of Lewis and Clark and the Corp of Discovery Expedition that began in 1804 I will begin this journey at the Headwaters of the Missouri river near Three Forks Montana. The Missouri River is 2341 miles long and is the longest river in North America. This is the path I will follow. If all goes well and I make good decisions and have some good luck I will arrive at the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers sometime in September. Then it's just a short trip down the Mississippi to St. Louis. Another 1000 miles down the Mississippi will bring me to the Gulf of Mexico. The Missouri River is home to several large reservoirs. That adds up to about 1000 miles of lake that does not have current and is prone to high winds, hords of mosquitoes, plenty of rattlesnakes, violent prairie storms and large open water crossings. I will likely spend many days windbound on some remote shoreline waiting on calmer seas in these areas. Sounds fun dosent it? This will certainly test my physical and mental stamina but it's still nothing compared to battling cancer. If you are going to donate to a charity this year please consider doing it here. No kid should have to battle cancer alone. Lets give a helping hand! Also, I will wear a gps tracker and attempt a blog of my travels so for those that are interested you will be able track my progress.

I know there is an overwelming choice of quality charities that one can become involved with or donate to in some way. Picking one that I wanted to represent was a big choice and I spent a good deal of time investigating this. I decided early on in my planning that I wanted to raise some money for children and families with cancer in some way. Children are naturally friendly, honest, genuine and truthfull.  All the qualities that cancer isnt.  After talking with the people at ALSF I knew I had found a good partner for this trip. They will handle all the donations and pledges and I will spend the summer messing around in the boat. This expedition is totally self funded  so every penny donated goes directly to this charity. Check out ALSF and then read about little Alex's dream. If everyone gives a little it can add up to alot! You can find out more about this trip and follow along on my website.  www.BraidingCurrents.com

Thankyou for your support

Jim Emanuel  

Helena Montana

Don't want to pledge via credit card? Pledge here instead: www.alexslemonade.org/webform/pledge-braiding-currents or call ALSF directly and talk to one of the good people there. You will actually get a real person on the line.   855-333-1213  or  610-649-3034.