CANCER CLIMB

for

PROSTATE AWARENESS

EL MISTI, PERU

AUGUST 4th – 20th, 2005

Thank you for taking an interest in this year’s expedition. As some of you know, The Prostate Awareness Foundation has participated in three previous Cancer Climbs: in 2001, to Mt Aconcagua in the Argentine Andes along with PCRI and the Hap Weyman Memorial Prostate Cancer Awareness Project; in September of 2003, to Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa; and, last year, to the Yosemite High Country, where we summited three major mountain peaks. This year’s Cancer Climb for Prostate Awareness will take place in Peru from August 4^th through August 20^th.

We have seven committed climbers so far and will bring a group not to exceed twenty-five members. This year’s expedition will be lead by Ken Malik, Tom Hyde and Doug Menelly. All three have participated in past Cancer Climbs and are seasoned climbers with excellent leadership skills. Other committed climbers are Ralph Lake, Brad Neal and Rick Mohovich. All have participated in prior Cancer Climbs. We are also in the process of making contact with fellow prostate cancer veterans and health professionals in South America and elsewhere around the globe, who might be interested in joining the expedition. We would really like this year’s challenge to be international in scope.

The 2005 expedition will offer challenges on three different levels. The climbing team will attempt the summit of El Misti, a 19,101’ semi active volcano outside of the city of Arequipa, Peru. We will all fly into La Paz, Bolivia to begin a pre-climb acclimatization. The hiking team will participate in the pre-climb trek around Lake Titicaca. They will also act as part of the support team for the accent up El Misti. A support team will participate up to their ability and will act as moral and logistical support for the expedition. All will share the rugged beauty of the High Andes, visit ancient Inca and Pre-Inca archeological sites and learn more about taking proactive responsibility for prostate health. For those interested, there is a post climb “out of pocket” trip planned to Cuzco and Machu Picchu.

While on the expedition, a prostate friendly menu will be available to all participants. Activities will include information about prostate prevention, maintaining a healthy prostate and dealing with prostate cancer if diagnosed.

My name is Ken Malik. I was on the Aconcagua, Kilimanjaro and Yosemite expeditions. I am a prostate cancer veteran of over 9 years. I am also the co-founder of the Prostate Awareness Foundation and it’s Executive Director. (See www.prostateawarenessfoundation.org for more information.) PAF is the organization for which we will be donating our time and fund-raising energy. The foundation is a not for profit 501(c)(3) corporation.

Please read the information below carefully. It will provide answers to many questions that you may have. If you have additional questions, please contact me at

415-661-2691 or email me at kamalik@sbcglobal.net.

We plan to limit this year’s expedition to no more than twenty-five (25) participants. We would like to have a mix of prostate cancer veterans, their families, health professionals and concerned citizens that have an interest in eradicating this epidemic affliction. Once again this year, women are welcome to participate. All potential candidates will undergo a screening process by the PAF Expedition Review Board to insure a proper fit with the goals and expectations of the expedition.

We need your participation and support to help PAF remain a viable source of critically needed, non-biased information about prostate cancer healing and prevention.

Get involved. Give yourself something to brag about! Join us for a great adventure in one of the most beautiful places on the planet for a once in a lifetime opportunity!

Thank you in advance for your interest.

Ken Malik

Executive Director

Prostate Awareness Foundation

THE TEAMS:

Climbing Team:

For those in top condition - The climb will be challenging but not a “technical climb”. Some would call this year’s climb a high altitude trek.

Hiking Team:

For those in good condition that can trek six to eight miles per day while carrying a pack of up to 25 lbs.

Support Team:

For those who love the outdoors and want to support our efforts but don’t feel equipped to do high altitude trekking and climbing - You’ll learn about prostate friendly diet, supplements and stress reduction techniques while supporting the rest of the team. Bring a fishing pole, hiking boots, drawing pad and participate on the level you feel capable. Be part of the action!

THE ITINERARY:

DAY	DATE	DESTINATION & DESCRIPTION
1	Wednesday 8/3 late evening.	Fly to Miami to embark for La Paz, Bolivia in the
2	Thursday, 8/4	Arrive in La Paz early morning. Check into hotel and tour Colonial La Paz. At 13,000’ this is a great place to begin acclimatizing.
3	Friday, 8/5	Travel to Tiahuanaco, Bolivia and tour the ancient pre-Incan ruins. Travel on to Copacabana, we will either camp or stay in an inexpensive hostel or hotel. We will more than likely hire a guide service.
4	Saturday, 8/6	Begin Lake Titicaca trek. Camp.
5	Sunday, 8/7	Continue Lake Titicaca / Isle del Sol trek. Camp.
6	Monday, 8/8	Complete trek and return to La Paz. Hotel.
7	Tuesday, 8/9	Fly from La Paz to Arequiqa via Lima. Stay in Arequipa hotel.
8	Wednesday, 8/10	Prep day for climb, check gear, food, etc. Hotel.
9	Thursday, 8/11	Begin El Misti Climb. We will be camping each night.
10	Friday, 8/12	El Misti Climb. Camp.
11	Saturday, 8/13	El Misti Summit Day begins around Midnight. We descend in late morning and return to Arequipa. Stay overnight in Arequipa hotel. Celebration dinner

End of formal “Cancer Climb” – Some participants will leave for home, others will do an “out of pocket” trip to Cuzco and Machu Picchu or elsewhere.

12	Sunday 8/14	Travel to Cuzco by plane in the afternoon. Hotel.
13	Monday, 8/15	Train to Agua Caliente at base of Machu Picchu. Stay in inexpensive hotel or hostel.
14	Tuesday, 8/16	Visit Machu Picchu. Agua Caliente Hotel.
15	Wednesday, 8/17	Hike trails above Machu Picchu. Return to Cuzco on evening train. Hotel.
16	Thursday, 8/18	Tour Cuzco and surrounding countryside. Hotel
17	Friday, 8/19	Tour Cuzco & surroundings. Farewell dinner
18	Saturday, 8/20	Tour Cuzco morning and afternoon. Leave Cuzco 7pm flight to Lima and then on to Miami. Arrive Miami 5:34 am, Sunday morning 8/21

TRANSPORTATION:

The hope is that everyone will spend Wednesday, August 3rd flying to Miami, Florida. There is an American Airlines flight from Miami to La Paz, Bolivia late in the evening on Wednesday that arrives in La Paz early Thursday morning. Westminster Travel in Rohnert Park, California is the official travel agent for this year’s expedition. They provided lots of help and great fares for PAF when we went to Mt Kilimanjaro in 2003. They have worked very hard to put together flights from the USA and then internally within Bolivia and Peru. For those of you needing fares to Miami or for other destinations after the climb you can call Charles Stuart at Westminster Travel toll free @ 866-372-7236.

Please note: we will be flying from La Paz to Arequipa and the El Misti region after the pre-climb trek in Bolivia. After the climb, many of us will be flying on to Cuzco and taking the train to Machu Picchu.

Ground transportation from La Paz to the Lake Titicaca region has not been finalized. We will either take public buses or a van provided by an outfitter, if a good deal can be negotiated.

EXPEDITION OUTFITTER:

We have selected Carlos Zarate in Arequipa as our El Misti guide service. Carlos has a wealth of experience and comes highly recommended. You can visit their website at www.zarateadventures.com for more information about them.

EXPEDITION ESTIMATED COST:

Initial estimated cost of the two and one half week expedition is about $2400. This does not include airfare from your home city to Miami, tips for guides or “mad money” while in South America or the after climb possibilities. It does include the following estimates:

Airfare:	$1300
El Misti Guide service includes: guides, food, tents, park fees:	$200
Lake Titicaca trek:	$200
Hotels – 6 nights:	$300
Food:	$400
Total:	$2400

The “out of pocket” Cuzco and Machu Picchu trip after the climb is estimated at $500-$800 for the week. This estimate includes airfare, train, hotels, food, guides, entrance fees, etc.

Details about deposits for guide service and when airfares must be paid to follow!

We expect airfares will need to be paid sometime in February to lock in the best fares.

FUND RAISING FLIER:

We are in the process of completing marketing literature for this year’s climb. It will include a one page, two-sided copy flier that describes the climb and its goals on one side and a list of incentive gifts at various different levels of donation on the other side.

This flier will be available to you no later than early February, so you can begin your fund raising efforts.

FUNDRAISING AND FINANCIAL REQUIRMENTS:

While the PAF wishes to provide as much financial support as possible to each fund-raising participant, our 501(c)(3) charitable organization also is required to follow certain IRS guidelines regarding how many of your donated dollars can be used to help cover expenses. Let me outline the financial goals and guidelines you will need to meet in order to make the Peru Cancer Climb for Prostate Awareness a success:

Each participant is being asked to raise a minimum of $2,000 in contributions for PAF. After this level is reached, any additional contributions are eligible for a rebate, until you reach the full amount of your “hard costs.” These hard costs include airfare to and from La Paz; El Misti climb and Lake Titicaca acclimatization trek fees; hotels; and food until the end of the El Misti Climb. They do not include equipment cost, the “out of pocket” post climb itinerary, and any other incidental expenses.

For each dollar you raise over and above the initial minimum of $2000, 33 cents of each dollar raised can be applied toward these documented hard costs.

Example #1 – Climber raises a total of $6,500. (This was the average each PAF climber raised for Mt Kilimanjaro.):

$6,500	Total amount raised
-$2,000	Minimum amount required before rebate starts
$4,500	Surplus divided by 1/3 = $1,500 rebated toward “hard cost” of $2,400
$900	Actual out of pocket cost of expedition after rebate

Example #2 – Climber raises a total of $9,200 and subsidizes the “hard cost” of the expedition 100%:

$9,200	Total amount raised
-$2,000	Minimum amount required before rebate starts
$7,200	Surplus divided by 1/3 = $2,400 rebated toward “hard cost” of $2,400
$0	Actual out of pocket cost of expedition after rebate

FUNDRAISING SUPPORT:

We will support you in your fundraising efforts by providing promotional literature, promotional premiums for contributors, and helpful media awareness press releases tailored to your city and location. We will also help you with ideas to efficiently fundraise and assure your success. We feel there is more than adequate time for us to accomplish our individual goals. For the Kilimanjaro Expedition, PAF participants raised an average of over $6500 per person.

“TEAM APPROACH” TO REACHING YOUR GOAL:

This year, a provision has been made for significant others, or family member participation. If you have a spouse or “significant other”, father, brother, or sister who would like to participate, the minimum contribution for a two-person team will be $2,500. Once this level is reached, you are entitled to claim a rebate for the “hard costs” just like individual fundraisers. Teams must be reviewed and approved by the PAF expedition review board.

APPROVAL POLICY:

The PAF review committee will signoff on each potential participant to retain the integrity of the expedition. We are trying to put an emphasis on men with prostate cancer and their families. However, the expedition is not limited to that profile. First priority will be given to men with prostate cancer; the second priority will be those having a family member with the disease. We welcome socially conscious individuals and health professionals who want to participate.

ACCOUNTING:

PAF will keep a full and fair accounting of all incoming donations and submit regular reports to each climber as to the status of their fundraising efforts. Remember, the more money you raise, the less expensive your personal costs for the trip become if you choose to take a rebate on your “hard costs”. All donations should be made payable to PAF and are tax deductible. Please ask your donor to reference your name on the check memo line so we know which climber to credit.

PLEASE NOTE: PAF DOES NOT HAVE A CREDIT CARD SYSTEM; ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MUST BE IN THE FORM OF A CHECK. SORRY!

It is more than likely that you will have initial out of pocket expenses for airfare and expedition deposits. These out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed to you by PAF under the above guidelines. If you choose to take advantage of the rebate program, you can expect your rebate check after the climb, when all accounting is completed.

EQUIPMENT:

Weather conditions can change rapidly when at high altitude. Attached is an equipment list for reference. Once again this year, Doug Menelly is contacting major equipment suppliers around the country with the hope of acquiring donated gear. We will keep you informed. If you have new boots – break them in NOW!

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

Picture & Story:

We need your photo by email along with a story about the reason you are climbing Please try to limit the story to no more than 300 words. The story and picture will be placed on the website at www.prostateawarenessfoundation.org. PLEASE WORK ON THIS NOW SO WE CAN PLACE ON THE WEBSITE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

VACCINATIONS:

You will require certain vaccinations prior to leaving for Peru. Details will follow.