Climb to Fight Breast Cancer: Choose your peak and support Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

SEATTLE – Sept. 28, 2012 – The 16th annual Climb to Fight Breast Cancer® offers adventurers a distinctive way to honor loved ones and dedicate funds to breast cancer research this October, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Registration is open for climbers of all skill levels to sign up and start training for trips to any of 11 peaks set for spring, summer, and fall of 2013 in support of breast cancer research at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

Additional Climb to Fight Breast Cancer peaks are:

• Mount Rainier in Washington (14,411 feet)
  
• Denali in Alaska (20,320 feet)
  
• Mount Adams in Washington (12,276 feet)
  
• Mount Baker in Washington (10,781 feet)
  
• Mount Elbrus in Russia (18,510 feet)
  
• Mount Hood in Oregon (11,237 feet)
  
• Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania (19,340 feet)
  
• Mount Olympus in Washington (7,980 feet)
  
• Mount St. Helens in Washington (8,365 feet)
  
• Mount Shasta in California (14,179 feet)
  
• Volcanoes of Mexico (18,850 and 17,343 feet)
  

Most of the expeditions are scheduled for the spring and summer months, but Volcanoes of Mexico climbs take place in October or November.

Professional guides from Alpine Ascents International lead the expeditions to Denali, Mount Olympus, Volcanoes of Mexico, Mount Elbrus, Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Rainier, and Mount Baker. Shasta Mountain Guides leads Mount Shasta, and guides from Portland Parks and Recreation lead teams on Mount Adams, Mount Hood, and Mount St. Helens.

Each climb team has 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.

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At Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center interdisciplinary teams of world-renowned scientists – including three Nobel laureates – seek new and innovative ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, HIV/AIDS, and other life-threatening diseases. The Hutchinson Center’s pioneering work in bone marrow transplantation led to the development of immunotherapy, which harnesses the power of the immune system to treat cancer with minimal side effects. An independent, nonprofit research institute based in Seattle, the Hutchinson Center houses the nation’s first and largest cancer prevention research program, as well as the clinical coordinating center of the Women’s Health Initiative and the international headquarters of the HIV Vaccine Trials Network. Private contributions are essential for enabling Hutchinson Center scientists to explore novel research opportunities that lead to important medical breakthroughs. For more information visit www.fhcrc.org or follow the Hutchinson Center on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube.

MEDIA CONTACT
Christi Ball Loso
206-667-5215
closo@fhcrc.org