Rucking for a Reason: Jason’s 50 Miles for a Cause
- Cure VCP Disease, Inc.
- Jun 23
- 3 min read
When you meet someone in 10th grade, you don’t always realize they’ll be part of your life story for decades to come, but that’s exactly how it’s been with Jason Contino and Nathan Peck.
From high school classmates to coworkers at Dell, Jason has shared many chapters with Nathan, and their friendship has stood the test of time. Jason knew Nathan’s mom and witnessed the early challenges she faced with VCP disease. When Nathan was later diagnosed, Jason already understood what that meant and from the start, he knew he wanted to stay involved.
That involvement has taken many forms, from attending the annual Cure VCP Disease Celebration to becoming a vocal supporter of awareness efforts. This past year, Jason added a new, deeply personal way to show his support: rucking.
Rucking is inspired by military training. Participants wear a weighted backpack, or “ruck”, and hike or walk long distances. It’s not about how fast you go. It’s about how far you’re willing to push yourself.
Jason’s gym partners with GoRuck, an organization that makes gear and hosts rucking events. In January, he and his wife began training for a 50-mile overnight ruck event through Austin. The event kicked off at 9 p.m. and lasted all night. They went in without knowing exactly what to expect, but they trusted the training—and emerged with an epic accomplishment under their belts.
As Jason approaches his 50th birthday in October, he took on another challenge: 50 miles for 50 years for the 2025 I CAN MOVEment. He logged about 10 miles a week, about 2-3 miles each time. Some days he rucked alone, but often, people would join him and that gave him the opportunity to share his “why”. He often took those moments to share more about VCP disease and the work that Cure VCP Disease does for patients and their families.
"Rucking reminds me of VCP disease in some ways," Jason reflects. "It can feel like you’re walking alone. You’re carrying weight most people don’t see. But there’s a whole community behind you, helping you move forward."
It’s a message that resonates deeply with the spirit of the I CAN MOVEment, a campaign that encourages those affected by VCP disease to keep moving in whatever way they can, physically or otherwise. For Jason, movement is both metaphor and mission.
Attending the Cure VCP Disease Celebration has become a tradition for Jason and his family. His brother attends with him, and this year, their parents are joining too. For Jason, it’s not just about the event, it’s about connection.
He loves seeing the progress the foundation is making, from large grants to increased awareness, and the way the community continues to grow. “Every time I go, I meet someone new,” he says. “It’s powerful to come together from all over for the same cause. It’s camaraderie. And it’s another time to be with Nathan and his family.”
Nathan, as Jason shares, is ultra competitive—whether it was on the basketball court or playing Sega Genesis back in the day. And it’s that same drive and determination that Nathan brings to his journey with VCP disease. "Even when it's hard, he finds a way to lead, to focus on what needs to be done. That CEO brain of his never stops."
For Jason, rucking is just one small thing he can do for his friend. But it’s also a reminder that we don’t have to fight alone.
We’re excited to share that Jason will be sharing more of his story at the 2025 Cure VCP Disease Celebration: BBQ, Bingo & Brews. If you’ve been thinking about attending, let this be your reason to go.
Whether you walk, ruck, donate, or simply show up—your presence matters.
Save the Date: August 9, 2025
Fall Line Brewery | Macon, GA
Together, we move forward—one step, one story, one celebration at a time.
