Climb for the cause

General Article
January 22, 2004

Mountaineers needed for six climbs to support center's breast-cancer research; expertise not required

Karen Seaver, of Human Biology, and Beth Dube, of Development, will raise a mini-mum of $3,000 and $2,500, respectively, for the center's Climb to Fight Breast Cancer. photo by Gordon Todd

By GORDON TODD

Some mountain climbers live by the motto: "By endurance, we conquer." The same can be said of cancer researchers, who, step by scientific step, make progress in their efforts against cancer.

In Fred Hutchinson's Climb to Fight Breast Cancer, the communities of outdoor adventure and scientific endeavor come together. The annual climb, now in its seventh year, raises awareness and funds for breast-cancer research. So far, it has raised more than $850,000.

Fred Hutchinson is currently recruiting climbers to join the 2004 efforts this summer. Already, two center staff members have signed up.

Beth Dube, assistant to the vice president for Development, decided to join the cause after hearing about the positive experiences of a former center colleague who climbed last year. Although not a mountaineer or even an avid exerciser, her experience of watching friends and family members suffer from breast cancer spurred her to begin training for the event.

"My son's first-grade teacher, who has become a dear friend of our family, just had a recurrence of breast cancer and my sister-in-law is a survivor," said Dube, who will raise a minimum of $2,500 to join the Mount Hood climb. "As someone who works at a cancer center, I know supporting research is an important way I can help combat the disease."

Love of the outdoors and a personal connection to breast cancer motivated Karen Seaver, a research technician in Dr. Stephen Tapscott's lab in the Human Biology Division, to join this year's Mount Baker climb. Seaver will be joined by her boyfriend's mother, Ellen Kraly, a breast-cancer survivor. Also accompanying the group will be a coalition from Colgate University - including the school's president - where Kraly is a professor of geography.

"I like being outdoors and haven't yet climbed a mountain," Seaver said. "Supporting breast-cancer research seems like a great way to have an excuse to try it." Each climber must raise between $2,500-10,000 in donations to participate, depending on the peak.

"It seems like a big number, but the Development Department provides a lot of advice and ideas to help you do this," said Seaver, who needs to raise $3,000 for the Mount Baker expedition.

Six climbs are scheduled between June and August: Mount Hood, June 12-13; Mount Baker, June 25-27; Mount Rainier, July 4-7; Glacier Peak, July 10-13; Mount Adams, July 23-25; and Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Aug. 7-22. All climbs are led by professional guide services. Climbers do not need major mountaineering experience for most of the peaks, but will require strength conditioning and endurance. For information contact (206) 667-1398 or cfbc@fhcrc.org. Or visit the Web site at www.fhcrc.org/climb.

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