The 2025 Everest Team

My name is Tonya Dreher, founder of the original Everest to End Duchenne and mother to Gus, age 20. Gus lives with Duchenne and is the inspiration behind every single fundraiser done through the Hope for Gus Foundation. We created the foundation after Gus’ diagnosis and have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for medical research for DMD. ETED 2025 is my 7th time taking a team to trek to Everest Base Camp. Every time, it its an honor to read the names of 100’s who suffer from DMD when we reach our destination.

My name is Sofia, 44. Swedish living in Norway the last 20 years or so.
Have 2 kids. Leon 16 years old living with Duchenne, and his little sister Ella 14 years old.
I love being out in the nature, been to Peru twice. Up in the mountains and down to the rainforest.
I travel as often as I can. Love to see new places and meet new people.
I do this trek for all those boys who can’t. To spread the word about Duchenne. And pay attention to this, so that more money can go to research for a cure! In Norway almost no one knows about Duchenne. When I talk about no one knows what Duchenne is!
I have a dream for a cure.

My name is Paul McGrath and I live in Wolcott, VT. I had an opportunity almost a decade ago to go on the first Everest to End Duchenne trip, and didn’t end up doing it. I regretted it ever since, and when Tonya was setting up last year’s trek, I jumped on it. The 2023 trip changed my life in many ways. First and foremost, even though I’ve known the Dreher’s for 25 years, I didn’t know much about Duchenne. This trip changed that immensely and showed me the importance of the work and fundraising (we raised $65k last year) that needs to happen for this disease. I also got the opportunity to spend time with several people on this trek who continue to inspire me to be better. Their stories and “grab your bootstraps” attitudes shed perspective on what is important and what real challenges are. Lastly, the trip itself was amazing. Reading the names at Base Camp and seeing the sunrise over Everest were moments I’ll never forget. Both brought a 52-year-old guy to tears. I can’t wait for this trip in November, the rigors of EBC, Kala Patthar, and Lobuche, and really look forward to seeing friends from last year while making new ones at the same time.

My name is Odin. I am 19 years old and I love to ski, explore, and design light shows. I joined ETED because I wish to live life to the fullest while helping others in need, like those with Duchenne, along the way…