Half Moon Bay resident walks 24 hours to raise money for brother recovering from a 2nd brain bleed

“The entire purpose of the walk was to find good people in the world,” Kielak said. “I was just shown such great kindness every single day, people stopped, pulling over on their way to work to make sure I was OK, strangers giving me a place to stay in their homes.” 

As his brother works through brain injury recovery — learning to walk and talk again — there have been similar reminders of human kindness and goodness amidst the pain. 

“This is a terrible, awful thing all of us are going through,” Kielak said. “Doctors and nurses are all so kind, wherever there’s a problem, there’s people with a solution, people willing to reach out their hands when you’re in your terrible moments.” 

JJ’s specific condition is called an Arteriovenous Malformation Rupture. A tangle of abnormal blood vessels in the brain — connecting high-pressure arteries directly to veins — break open. 

Kielak’s upcoming 24-hour walk will take place all around Half Moon Bay, including downtown, the Coastal Trail and the harbor, from noon on Dec. 29 to noon on Dec. 30. He’s hopeful that the trek will raise awareness about this condition. 

It’s been a pleasant surprise that friends, as well as members of the local business community, have expressed interest in joining him for portions of the walk, Kielak said. 

“Quite a few small business owners … are very interested in walking with me,” he said. “It’s cute how the community is like, ‘How can I help out? How can I be involved?’” 

Walking such a long distance for such a long period of time can also bring internal clarity, Kielak said from his prior experience walking across America. His longest walk thus far has been around 18 hours and 40 miles. 

“I am thinking a lot more, but it’s less clouded by insecurity or self doubt, or ‘What do these people want from me?’” he said. “It’s like ‘no, what do I want?’ You’re too tired to worry about anyone but you.” 

For those that wish to donate money to support JJ’s recovery, the family has set up a GoFundMe at gofundme.com/jjthebigboy and Kielak will be livestreaming much of his 24-hour walk at @withinrange_coaching

“Appreciate every moment,” Kielak said, “because you never know when something crazy is gonna happen in the middle of the night and throw everything for a loop.”