SEATTLE – March 5, 2012 –The 15th annual Climb to Fight Breast Cancer® expands the range of opportunities for adventurers of all skill levels to have fun and raise vital funds for breast cancer research at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in honor or memory of those who have battled the disease.
In its first 15 years, the event has garnered more than $5.8 million in support of breast cancer research, thanks to the efforts of more than 900 climbers and 26,500 donors.
In recent years the addition of treks such as Mount Everest base camp, at 17,300 feet; Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, at 19,340 feet; and Mount St. Helens in Washington, 8,365 feet, have appealed to those who are looking for a peak that requires less technical ability.
Also, new to the Climb roster are Mount Olympus in Washington, Mount Shasta in California, and Denali in Alaska. Located on the Olympic Peninsula and rising from one of the world’s last remaining temperate rainforests, Mount Olympus stands 7,980 feet; Mount Shasta, in northern California near the Oregon border, rises 14,179 feet; Alaska’s Denali is a soaring 20,320 feet.
Also offered is a trip to central Mexico to ascend Pico de Orizaba (18,850 feet) and Ixtaccíhuatl (17,343 feet), known together as the “Volcanoes of Mexico.”
Additional Climb to Fight Breast Cancer peaks are:
“Volcanoes” climbs take place in October; the rest of the expeditions are scheduled for the spring and summer months.
Professional guides from Alpine Ascents International will lead expeditions to Everest Base Camp, Denali, Mount Olympus, the Mexican volcanoes, Mount Elbrus, Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Rainier, and Mount Baker. Shasta Mountain Guides leads the trek up Mount Shasta, and guides from Portland Parks & Recreation will lead teams up Mount Adams, Mount Hood, and Mount St. Helens.
Each climb will have a limited number of team members – generally nine or 10 – as established by the guide services. Participants commit to fundraising minimums of $3,000 to $12,500, depending on the mountain.
A full schedule of peaks, climb dates, and routes can be found at www.fhcrc.org/climb. For more information or to register for the Climb to Fight Breast Cancer, visit www.fhcrc.org/climb or email cfbc@fhcrc.org.
Note for media only: To arrange an interview with a Climb to Fight Breast Cancer participant or to obtain photos, please contact Christi Ball Loso at closo@fhcrc.org or 206-667-5215.
MEDIA CONTACT
Christi Ball Loso
206-667-5215
closo@fhcrc.org
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About Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center’s interdisciplinary teams of world-renowned scientists and humanitarians work together to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, HIV/AIDS, and other diseases. Hutchinson Center researchers, including three Nobel laureates, bring a relentless pursuit and passion for health, knowledge, and hope to their work and to the world. For more information, please visit www.fhcrc.org.
For the Media