He did it!

Tom Horton Walked 500 Miles for the FOXG1 Syndrome Gene Therapy!

A pilgrimage of prayer and action to bring hope to families worldwide

A man hiking in a mountainous landscape with sheep grazing nearby, holding hiking poles and wearing sunglasses and athletic clothing.

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A man holding hiking poles standing on a gravel dirt path in rural landscape with sunflower field on one side, trees and a hill in the background, under a gray cloudy sky.

Long shadow of a person wearing a hat on a dirt road in a dry, open landscape under a clear blue sky.

Low-angle view of a historic stone church with a clock tower and a pointed roof, set against a clear blue sky.

A man in a green jacket standing on rocks near the ocean, smiling at the camera, with three people and a rainbow in the cloudy sky in the background.

A man dressed in a gray T-shirt and beige pants standing on a dirt trail in a rural countryside, wearing a white cowboy hat and holding hiking poles, smiling at the camera, with a horse and green trees in the background under a cloudy sky.

A man in a cowboy hat and shorts standing on a dirt road in a wheat field with hay bales and trees in the background during sunset.

A middle-aged man with gray hair smiling, wearing a dark pinstripe suit, light blue dress shirt, and a blue tie, standing in front of a wooden panel background.

“The FOXG1 Research Foundation is on the road to delivering a groundbreaking gene therapy to children who urgently need it—and I’m walking the 500-mile Way of St. James pilgrimage to help move this treatment forward.

This is a journey about hope, faith, and the determination that together, we can rewrite what’s possible for children living with FOXG1 syndrome.”

Tom Horton

FOXG1 Research Foundation, Philanthropy Board Chairman; American Airlines, Former CEO; Global Infrastructure Partners, Partner

Watch Tom’s walk day-by-day - mile-by-mile

The Famous El Camino de Santiago “The Way”

For over a thousand years, pilgrims from around the world have journeyed the Camino de Santiago, a 500-mile path across northern Spain that leads to the resting place of St. James the Apostle in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. According to tradition, St. James brought Christianity to the Iberian Peninsula and was laid to rest in Galicia after his martyrdom.

Since the 9th century, this ancient route has been walked as an act of devotion, healing, and reflection—each step representing sacrifice, hope, and faith.

The Camino has become a modern symbol of purpose and perseverance, beautifully portrayed by Martin Sheen in the film The Way.

Tom Horton—former CEO of American Airlines and FOXG1 grandfather—is walking the full 500 mile Camino on behalf of all the children with FOXG1 syndrome. The symbolism is profound: Tom is walking for children who, due to this devastating neurological genetic condition, cannot walk today—but who may be able to take steps of their own through the promise of gene therapy.

Join this mission. Every step brings us closer to a potentially life-changing treatment for children with FOXG1 syndrome, while paving the way to accelerate treatments for rare diseases around the world.

Over 32 days, Tom’s dedication and determination raised an incredible $1.2 million to help bring the FOXG1 gene therapy to children worldwide.

Thanks to this incredible support for Tom’s walk, the FOXG1 Gene Therapy “Yes, They Can!” campaign has reached the halfway mark — $11 million raised, with $11 million to go!

Thank you to everyone who donated, sponsored, or dedicated a mile to a FOXG1 child along the way. Together, you turned a single journey into a global effort for change and brought us many steps closer to a life-changing treatment for FOXG1 children everywhere.

You Are Helping Drive FOXG1 Gene Therapy to Children Around the World!

A young girl with red hair smiling and howling outside on a wooden deck, next to a wheelchair, with a black railing and green trees in the background.

The “Yes, They Can!” campaign is raising $22 million to bring a promising gene therapy for children living with FOXG1 syndrome.

With every gift, you are helping move us closer to beginning patient trials in 2026—the first critical step toward making this treatment a reality.

Learn about the "Yes, They Can!" Campaign

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