Mexico-to-Canada hiker to share experience

Jennifer Kho

A Costa Mesa man who hiked 2,600 miles up the Pacific Crest Trail to

raise awareness of his brother’s rare, and potentially, fatal blood

disease will show slides of his trek today at The North Face store at

Triangle Square.

The Pilot chronicled Tony DiLorenzo’s nearly four-month trek from

Mexico to Canada as he temporarily sacrificed his normal life -- his job,

his belongings, his way of life and his family -- to help his 21-year-old

brother, Paul, and others who suffer from thalassemia.

The hike ended in September, but DiLorenzo said his efforts to help

the Cooley’s Anemia Foundation have continued. He has started a

window-washing business and is donating a percentage of the profits to

the foundation.

DiLorenzo said he hopes his free slide show, scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

at 1870 Harbor Blvd., Suite A, Costa Mesa, will encourage other hikers to

take similar trips or to give back to the community in other ways.

“I think the thing I gained most was my purpose for being here on the

Earth and what I want to do with myself,” DiLorenzo said. “I gained a lot

of respect for other individuals out there and gained a sense of ease, of

calmness and of knowing that things change in a heartbeat and you just

have to go with the flow instead being stressed out or wound up. . . . If

there’s a minute chance I can make somebody realize they can make a

difference -- and it doesn’t have to be big -- I think I’ve made a

difference.”

For more information, call (949) 649-0909.