Climb to Fight Breast Cancer Donation Deadline

I have almost reached my fundraising goal of $5,000 to benefit breast cancer research at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center!!! I am working to raise the money by June 1st and I am only a couple hundred short--please spread the word to family and friends. Donations can be made by visiting the following site: http://getinvolved.fhcrc.org/site/TR?px=1037181&pg=personal&fr_id=1040

Or can be mailed to: Heather Ann Brauer; Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center; 1100 Fairview Ave N; M5-C800; Seattle, WA 98109.

Email me with questions: hbrauer@fhcrc.org

If you scroll down you can read about my inspiration to climb! And my first training climb this weekend on Mount Baker :)

Mount Baker I

Kyle, Leah, Chris, and I headed to Hamilton, Washington on Saturday morning to begin our trek towards the summit of Mount Baker. The road was snowed in to about a mile beyond the trailhead, so we parked, packed up, and started towards the trailhead. Because of the snow and not so clearly marked trails we headed in on the wrong trail--so we climbed up and down a few steep ridges. (see photo to the right of Chris heading up one of these ridges) Using Chris' and Kyle's incredible navigation skills, a compass, and a GPS we finally found ourselves in the valley below the ridge we needed for base camp. Unfortunately, there were a few obstacles...too big double plastic boots, the weather had began to chance (lots of snow and high avalance danger), Kyle wasn't feeling great, and we weren't as far as we had hoped due to the trail issues. So, we set up camp prepared to re-evaluate the situation in a few hours. The snow kept falling as a few hours passed and we decided that it would be best to forego the summit attempt. We slept through the night waking up in a cloud of fog, packed up, and headed back out through the valley and onto the correct trail. The trip was a blast despite the inability to summit--I learned so much about mountaineering and gear in my first trip of such nature. We are going to attempt to summit with better weather and better boots in 3-4 weeks. Here are some photos, a snapshot of what's to come!!! You can see more photos below by clicking on the northern most flag on the map (Hamilton, Washington).

Climb to Fight Breast Cancer

As the summer is rapidly approaching, I am gearing up to climb Mount Rainier. Mount Rainier is a beautifully sculpted dormant volcano encased in over 35 square miles of snow and glacial ice. Located south of Seattle, Washington, its peak reaches 14,411 feet into the clouds. When I first decided to embark on this adventure, I decided that I wanted a purpose for this strenuous multi-day climb, something to make this challenge worthwhile. When I first heard about the “Climb to Fight Breast Cancer,” I knew that was it.

The “Climb to Fight Breast Cancer” is close to my heart for a few reasons. As many of you know, I am currently working on my thesis for my doctorate in Molecular and Cellular Biology in Paul Lampe’s lab at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. My thesis focuses on the discovery of human plasma biomarkers to aid in the early detection and effective treatment of breast cancer. While my project is far from finding a cure, the finding of these biomarkers could dramatically decrease the mortality rate associated with breast cancer and better the quality of life for breast cancer patients and their families.

As I train for the next couple of months and then in July strap on my crampons and grab my ice axe, I will be doing it in honor of my mother, Cindy Brauer, and her best friend, my Aunt Judy Connell. On a beautiful day in Seattle you can see the magnificent backdrop of Mount Rainier: a symbol of beauty, grace, and strength. Thus, it is only fitting that I dedicate my climb to two beautiful women who carry themselves with immense grace. They are both incredibly strong breast cancer survivors. My mother has been a constant model of love and perseverance in my life, always giving to others with all of her heart. So, as I climb towards the heavens, in her honor I will pray for all families that have been affected by cancer.

The “Climb to Fight Breast Cancer” is sponsored by Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and is in its ninth year. The program has raised more than $1.75 million for breast cancer research at the Center. As a climber, I will be working to raise $5,000. I’d like to ask for your donation. Every little bit helps. You can donate by visiting the following site:
http://getinvolved.fhcrc.org/site/TR?px=1037181&pg=personal&fr_id=1040

If you’d like to donate via mail, please send a check made out to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center to:

Heather Ann Brauer
1100 Fairview Ave. N.
Mailstop M5-C800
Seattle, WA 98112

In the end, it won’t really matter if we reach the summit of Mount Rainier this July. Either way the trip will be successful because of the money raised for breast cancer research. Together, someday, we will win this fight.

Thank you for your support,
Heather Ann Brauer