"The five days I spent trekking Iceland with Save One Life may have actually saved my life. It was the break I needed, the adventure I craved and the cause I was proud to support."

-Alex Borstein, actress, comedian, writer, and producer

From August 1–7, 2026, Save One Life brought together a group of dedicated supporters for a five-day trek across Iceland, traveling from Landmannalaugar to Thórsmörk. The world-renowned route took participants across colorful rhyolite mountains, geothermal hot springs, black-sand deserts, and sweeping glacial valleys. Along the way, every step helped raise funds and awareness for Save One Life’s mission to improve quality of life and expand access to care for people with bleeding disorders around the world. A shout-out to Soleo Health and its employees Chris George, Sarah Christman, and Bill Laughlin, as well as actress and comedian Alex Borstein, who were among the hikers who took on this incredible challenge!

The trek was about more than the miles. Participants challenged themselves physically, experienced Iceland’s incredible landscapes, and built connections with others who share a commitment to the bleeding disorders community. The group gathered for a welcome dinner and celebration dinner, creating opportunities to get to know one another, share experiences, and celebrate what they had accomplished together. Everyone left the trip with new memories, a deeper connection to Save One Life’s mission, and a renewed appreciation for their own strength.

On the first evening, members of the Icelandic Haemophilia Society joined us for dinner and shared more about the state of bleeding disorder care in Iceland. It was a valuable opportunity for participants to learn about the local community. Thank you to the Icelandic Haemophilia Society for spending the evening with us and sharing their perspective.

For some participants, the trek was also deeply personal. Chris George, a Soleo Health employee living with severe hemophilia A, shared how taking part in the trek allowed him to accomplish something he once thought was impossible:

"​Participating in this Save One Life fundraising trip has been a dream come true. As a severe Factor A hemophiliac, I grew up with extensive joint damage, with my ankles becoming target joints starting at age four. Multi-day hikes and outdoor adventures simply weren't an option. As I got older, I learned to lower my expectations and abandon those boyhood dreams.

​By 2017, my ankle had deteriorated so severely that I couldn't walk at all, leaving me on a knee scooter for over a year. It was an incredibly frustrating time. Thankfully, I found a surgeon willing to perform a total ankle replacement. My only goal after surgery was to walk again—it never even crossed my mind that I would one day trek across Iceland.

​The replacement was such a game-changer that when I heard about the Iceland challenge, I jumped at the chance. It was an opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream while supporting an incredible organization.

​The trip was everything I hoped for: challenging, beautiful, and an absolute blast. Making it even better, I shared the experience with my wife and several of my fellow Soleo Health colleagues. Thank you, Save One Life, for making my dream a reality and, more importantly, providing life-saving care to bleeding disorder patients worldwide!"

Chris George with his wife, Samantha

For Sarah Christman, another Soleo Health employee and mother of twin sons with a severe bleeding disorder, the trek was a personal journey as well. She described the experience as a reminder of the strength that can come from challenging yourself and walking for a purpose:

"My journey with Save One Life is deeply personal. I became involved because I am the mother of twin sons who live with a severe bleeding disorder. Watching my sons navigate life with a rare bleeding disorder has given me a firsthand understanding of how important access to treatment, care, and support can be.

When I decided to take on the Save One Life Iceland Trek, I knew it would challenge me physically. What I didn’t realize was how much the journey would push me beyond my limits and leave a lasting impact on me personally.

There were moments on the trail when the terrain was difficult and every step required determination. But standing among Iceland’s incredible landscapes—surrounded by mountains, glaciers, rivers, and endless views—I was reminded that some of the hardest journeys can also be the most rewarding.

Working in the bleeding disorders industry has made this experience even more meaningful. I’m fortunate to work alongside coworkers who share the same passion for supporting the bleeding disorders community, and several of them took on the Iceland Trek alongside me. Having the opportunity to challenge ourselves together, both personally and professionally, while raising awareness and supporting access to care made this journey even more special.

Sarah Christman with our guide, Michel

This trek became about so much more than reaching the next destination. Every mile represented people around the world living with rare bleeding disorders who deserve access to care, opportunity, and hope. Knowing that I was walking for a purpose so deeply connected to my family, my coworkers, and the community we serve gave every difficult step meaning.

My sons were a constant source of motivation throughout the journey. As their mom, I have watched them face challenges that no child should have to face, and I wanted to turn those experiences into something positive—not only for them, but for families around the world facing similar challenges.

Iceland gave me moments I will never forget, but the greatest part of this experience was discovering a strength in myself that I didn’t know was there. I came home with more than memories and photographs. I came home with a deeper appreciation for life, an incredible connection to the people who shared this journey with me, and a renewed commitment to making a difference.

What started as a trek across Iceland became a journey within myself. I walked for my sons, for my family, for my coworkers, and for all those who deserve the chance to live their lives without being limited by access to care. And I will carry the lessons, connections, and purpose of this journey with me for the rest of my life."

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who took part in the Iceland Trek, raised funds, and supported Save One Life’s mission. Every mile walked and every dollar raised helps us continue providing support and expanding access to care for people with bleeding disorders around the world.

Thank you to everyone who made this journey possible. We are grateful for the time, effort, fundraising, and commitment each participant brought to the trek, and we look forward to carrying the connections and momentum from Iceland into the next chapter of Save One Life.

Iceland Trek Participants: