The Okie Boys Jet Ski 1,300 Miles for Progeria Research

The Okie Boys, a group of friends from Oklahoma, just rode jet skis 1,300 miles from Miami to Puerto Rico to raise money for progeria research. The trip started almost as a joke when Derek Hallaway decided to ride his jet skis to his home in Puerto Rico instead of shipping them, but it carried deep personal meaning: his younger brother died of progeria in 2006 at just three and a half years old. The journey was grueling, with 8 to 12 foot waves and mechanical failures along the way, and their videos documenting it all have racked up an estimated 25 million views, introducing millions to progeria and the families it affects.

We’re so grateful to Derek and the Okie Boys for turning personal loss into public generosity and helping our community feel seen. Follow their journey on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube as Okie Boys Productions, or at okieboys.com, and if their story moves you, consider making a gift to PRF in honor of the Okie Boys’ ride and every child living with progeria today.