SMC Man Who Walked Across America Embarks on 24-Hour Walk for Injured Brother

HALF MOON BAY, CA — Half Moon Bay resident Andrew "Ranger" Kielak, who gained national recognition for his 2,642-mile walk across America in 2024, is now undertaking a deeply personal and immediate challenge: a 24-hour nonstop walk aiming to support the recovery of his nine-year-old brother, who recently suffered a life-threatening brain injury.

Starting at noon on Monday and continuing until noon on Tuesday, Kielak will walk continuously throughout Half Moon Bay and the San Mateo County coast side.

"Last year, I walked across America to highlight people making a real difference in their communities," Kielak said. "This year, I'm walking to make a real difference in mine."

The event is a fundraiser to cover the significant medical expenses, rehabilitation, and long-term recovery needs for his brother, Jayson "JJ" Ferrell, who recently suffered his second Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) rupture.

Community members are invited to participate in multiple ways such as walking alongside Kielak for a mile, an hour, or longer, donating directly to JJ's GoFundMe, pledging per mile Kielak completes during the 24 hours, and following along online through live updates on social media.

All of the proceeds will go to the Ferrell family, who is facing significant financial strain, including: medical transport costs between Oklahoma and California, extended time off work for JJ's father, rehabilitation facility expenses, medical equipment and home adaptations, and ongoing therapy costs not covered by insurance

“I'm finalizing the exact route now, but it will start in Pacifica and run south through Montara into Princeton, then along the coastal trail to the Ritz-Carlton for the initial portion. For the nighttime hours, I'll likely loop through downtown Half Moon Bay or a local track to stay in well-lit, safer areas [to] reduce the chances of twisting an ankle,” Kielak told Patch.

JJ's second battle with AVM, a severe brain bleed caused by abnormal blood vessel formations, began on the morning of Oct. 18. While on a family trip in Oklahoma, JJ woke up with coughing and vomiting, quickly followed by seizures, Kielak said. He was immediately airlifted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at St. Francis Children's Hospital in Tulsa, where he spent almost a month fighting for his life. He has since been flown back to California, closer to home in Modesto, to continue his fight, Kielak said.

This is JJ's second rupture; his first occurred in 2020 when he was just four years old.

Today, JJ is receiving intensive pediatric physical therapy and rehabilitation at Shriners Children's Hospital in Sacramento. He is showing remarkable progress, having started speaking single words and short phrases, including "baseball" and "thank you."However, doctors anticipate months of intensive rehabilitation ahead as he works to regain his mobility and communication skills, Kielak said.

"JJ once recorded a video where he said, 'You are a champion. You are a winner,'" Kielak said. "He was talking to someone else, but right now those words are for him. I'm walking 24 hours to remind him — and everyone who loves him — what champions look like when they show up."

The community is encouraged to show their support for JJ's fight by joining Kielak along his route or donating at gofundme.com/jjthebigboy.

“I want people to know that there are good people out there. That despite the terrible things we go through, recovery is possible, and we don't do it alone. JJ's progress has been slow, steady, and miraculous,” Kielak told Patch.” He's gone from unresponsive in the PICU to saying "baseball" and "thank you" at Shriners. That didn't happen because of willpower alone. It happened because of doctors, nurses, therapists, family, friends, and a community that showed up.”