Climbers Against Cancer

I'm sure we all have a connection to someone who currently has or previously fought against cancer. My family is no exception. My paternal grandmother died from breast cancer in her early forties, one of the brightest youngest quality assurance engineers I work with fought cancer as a kid and a close family friend is in remission after fighting stage 3 breast cancer. KITV news recently did a short video segment on her fight in their 55-day sault to people who are helping with the fight against breast cancer. Aunty Colette's story is inspirational and emotional - a mother of five with the determination to fight. You can watch it here.

There are fighters all around the world. They fight for different reasons and fight in different ways but they all fight for the same cause - cancer. John Ellison is a rock climber and he has terminal cancer. John is the founder of the initiative, Climbers Against Cancer. This is John's way of fighting - to raise awareness and to help find a cure.

In short I am terminally ill and my clock is ticking. This you may say is my ‘crux’ and I either fall or push on to the summit. For me there was only one option and since that day I have kept on climbing, taking in the beauty around me and enjoying every challenge that lies ahead. 

Whilst thinking about the possibilities of ‘Climbers Against Cancer’ as an idea I remembered the saying ‘strength in numbers’ and how the world of climbing as a family has so much power to deliver a message across the globe. If, as a group of friends, we come together and support ‘CAC’ it can help others in the future by raising awareness and funds to further research into finally finding a cure for cancer!  

If you click on "Stories" on the Climbers Against Cancer web page you can read some truly inspirational experiences from people in our climbing community - fellow climbers who have been affected by cancer. I found this story called "The Warrior Within" particularly moving.

What can you do if you feel motivated to make a difference?

• Donate to one of the many initivatives/organizations out there (Climbers Against Cancer, Susan G Komen, Cancer Research, Fight Cancer, etc.)
• Run a marathon
• Buy a t-shirt/sticker/sweat shirt from one of the organizations and spread the word
• Buy a crash pad or rock climbing hold from HERA for Ovarian Cancer
• Dedicate a climb to someone you know with cancer
• Write a blog post ;)
• If you have a story, share it!

Here we are in our CAC shirts - helping in the fight <3


Climb on!

-Elle