PROSTATE CANCER CLIMB OF MT BLANC
IN THE EUROPEAN ALPS WILL RAISE FUNDING FOR EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS
In September of 2007, an international team of prostate cancer veterans, family members and supporters will converge on the Chamonix Valley to climb Mt Blanc. This is the highest mountain in continental Europe at 4807m / 15,772’.Their goal is to reach the summit, raise critically needed funding for education and outreach programs and to inspire men and their families with a message of hope. Prostate cancer will affect one in five families in the United States and Europe and has reached epidemic proportions.
Prior climbs have raised over $400,000 USD for prostate cancer awareness and education programs. The first expedition in 2000, known as the Hap Weyman Memorial Prostate Cancer Awareness Project climbed Mt Aconcagua in the Argentine Andes was spearheaded by Dr Terry Weyman. Since then, annual climbs have included Mt Kilimanjaro, Yosemite, the Colorado Rockies and El Misti in the Peruvian Andes.
The Prostate Awareness Foundation, the non-profit organization sponsoring this year’s expedition, provides men and their families with information about available treatment options both conventional and alternative. It also offers guidance about preventative measures, nutritional support and stress management techniques the object is to help men and their families take a proactive approach to good prostate health. You can get more information about the foundation at www.prostateawarenessfoundation.org.
Ken Malik is one of this year’s expedition leaders. He is the co-founder of PAF and an eleven-year veteran of prostate cancer. Ken hopes to encourage participation on this year’s expedition both in the United States and internationally. Malik says, “This year’s expedition will offer challenges on two levels. A climbing team will attempt a technical climb to the summit. A trekking team that will do a hike on the Tour de Mt Blanc through France, Italy and Switzerland and support the climbing team. While on the expedition, all will share the latest information on prostate health. Malik says we can learn a lot from each other about prevention and treatment optionsâ€.
The expedition will be arriving in the Chamonix Valley on September 8th and completes the ascent of Mt Blanc on September 16th. You can contact Ken Malik at kamalik@sbcglobal.net for details and information about how you can participate.
