Editor’s Note: This story is a continuation of Jenny Decker’s global sailing voyage. To see the original article, please click here.

Many of our Patient Worthy readers are aware that Jenny Decker, a Charcot-Marie-Tooth patient, is nearing her goal to circumnavigate the globe solo, despite her incurable and progressive disorder.

Jenny’s mother was diagnosed with CMT and is now wheelchair-bound. In June of 2023, Jenny Decker, a 40-year-old trauma nurse, set sail on her voyage aboard her 1984 35.5C Bristol that she named Tiama.

An Update

Yanmar Marine America is a company that creates and builds marine engines as well as marine drive systems. Yanmar replied to Jenny and sent her a new $20,000 engine, no strings attached. The company also reimbursed Jenny for her loss to help her pay for the refit. Yanmar even offered to pay a mechanic to install the new engine.

Hail Mary Marine and K & C Mobile Marine joined forces to help with the installation. Boat Works repainted the hull at the Ke’ehi Marine Center.

Jenny said that this unbelievable act of kindness uncovered another surprise. The engine company is international which means that her sponsorship with them can help at various locations throughout the world.

A Change in Route

The delayed launch meant that Jenny had to change the planned route due to hurricane season in the Pacific. She had to skip French Polynesia and Tahiti thus avoiding a danger zone. Jenny will be safe while in the South Pacific then move to the Northern Hemisphere during cyclone season.

Crowd Funding

Jenny is using GoFundMe and other online support hoping that these groups will eventually enable her to donate to CMT research organizations.

It is Jenny’s desire to spread awareness about CMT hoping to find a cure. She would also like to be listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the first person with CMT to complete the (estimated) three-year journey.