Climb Against the Odds 2021
I am very excited to announce that I will be the local climber for the Climb Against the Odds!
The climb has been postponed until June 2021 due to COVID-19.
The Breast Cancer Prevention Partners (BCPP) is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to the prevention of breast cancer by eliminating our environmental exposure to toxic chemicals and radiation.
The BCPP puts on an annual fundraising event on Mt Shasta, in partnership with Shasta Mountain Guides, “Climb Against the Odds.” This fundraiser includes a number of climbers from all over the country who have a personal connection to the cause and have decided to fundraise for the BCPP and climb the mountain as a group.
The BCPP sponsors a local climber in Mount Shasta by waiving their entrance fees for the climb. As the local climber, all the fundraising stays local, directly supporting Breast Cancer Services of Siskiyou County. They provide support for Siskiyou County women going through breast cancer treatment, including hospice services, fuel costs and lodging during treatments, prescriptions not covered by insurance, and the “Be Strong” program (free gym memberships for women fighting cancer). Such programs are essential for the cancer patients in our small and underserved area.
I have agreed to be the local climber for the Climb Against the Odds 2021. As such, I will be trying to raise as much money as possible to benefit our local community over the next several months and climbing Mount Shasta in June. My initial fundraising goal is $10,000.
As a naturopathic doctor that does specialty and primary care services, I have both the unfortunate task of informing someone that they have breast cancer, and the good fortune to guide patients to the next steps in their care. I am also the one recommending preventative screenings appropriate for each woman.
This event is near to my heart as my job is helping women make informed decisions on how to limit exposures that may contribute to cancer in the first place. I guide women in establishing a healthy diet, good exercise habits, stress reduction techniques and avoidance of environmental toxins, among many other things.
I have climbed Mount Shasta twice. First in 2005, then again with a snowboard descent from the summit plateau in 2017. I know just how hard yet how rewarding the climb is. I am excited for both the personal challenge and to help the other climbers on their journey. I am an avid outdoorswoman – regularly backcountry split boarding, hiking, mountain biking, rafting, and surfing, which I was taught by my father, who I lost to melanoma at age 12. I will be climbing for myself, my family, and my community.
With the help of some amazing women who are also invested in this cause, I will be organizing a fundraiser dinner with raffle prizes, which will be in the beginning of April. We are also planning a movie night fundraiser on March 12th. There may be other fundraising events that come up between now and then, so please look out for them. If you would like to donate any raffle prizes, contact me directly.
If you would like to donate to my climb and support women dealing with breast cancer in Siskiyou County, follow this link to the BCPP Donation Page.