Ken Malik – Santa Rosa, CA

This year’s Cancer Climb and Trek for Prostate Awareness expedition to the Dolomite Mountains in northeastern Italy will be a very special one for me. So special in fact that I had my left knee replaced in November so I could participate. All the prior twenty-one expeditions have been memorable. But this one will be very special for a couple of reasons: I turned eighty years old in March; this is my thirtieth year since I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1995. I never expected to be around this long. I feel very fortunate to have caught my disease early. With the major lifestyle changes I made around diet, exercise and stress management I was able to stall any treatment for twenty-five years. (I had a successful radical prostatectomy five years ago). Also, I will be honoring two men, now gone but not forgotten. Robert Gumpertz who passed away at ninety-nine, challenged me to start the PAF when we met in 1995. And Walter Radtke who was my close friend and right-hand man who left the planet unexpectedly two years ago.

I think it’s incredibly important that an organization like the PAF can continue to offer men free, non-biased, patient driven information about prostate health. It’s the reason I will be participating once again this year in this important fundraising event.

I have participated in all of the past Prostate Cancer climbs, sometimes I’ve made it to the top and sometimes I haven’t. What I have learned is that it’s the journey, not the destination that is what’s most important.

Won’t you please support my efforts with a generous tax-deductible donation to the PAF. Thanks for your support.

Ken Malik is the founder of the Prostate Awareness Foundation.

Max Caruso

Ralph Lake – Austin, TX

This will be my 17th Cancer Climb for Prostate Awareness. It seems like no family these days goes untouched by cancer. My father and five uncles were all diagnosed with cancer. These climbs are a great way to spread the message.

My old high school classmate Ken Malik and I became reacquainted 26 years ago and he has really given me an education about healthy living and prostate cancer. With the awareness I have gained about prostate health, I am taking a positive, proactive position regarding prostate cancer prevention. At my age, many of my male friends are now dealing with prostate issues. I have been sharing PAF based information with them and helping them understand what to expect when they connect with their medical professionals. I believe that awareness and personal action are key elements to prevention, early detection, and the early treatments that save lives.

I am an avid outdoorsman, and I am looking forward to this year’s climb and trek in the Dolomite Mountains in the Southern Tyrolian Alps in Northern Italy. I had never considered myself a mountain climber before I got involved with PAF, but I am in pretty good shape, and this is a great way of giving something back while learning more about how to prevent prostate cancer. I am up for the Dolomite Alps Mountain challenge and hope you will support my efforts.

I am a retired Engineering Executive on the Board of Directors of the Prostate Awareness Foundation living in Austin, Texas. I have been on 17 previous PAF fundraiser climbs and will again be one of the expedition leaders.

Tom Lennon – San Francisco, CA

I was diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer in August of 2008. Shortly thereafter, I started attending PAF meetings. I adopted the practices advocated by Ken Malik, the founder and others who I met there. Included is a plant-based diet, a regular exercise program, Chinese herbs, acupuncture and meditation for stress management. The knowledge that I gained through the PAF enabled me to make decisions about a course of treatment. I decided to enroll in the UCSF Medical Center Active Surveillance program, with a protocol of periodic blood testing, imaging and biopsies rather than a more aggressive treatment such as surgery or radiation.

During my time in the UCSF program, I came to realize that I had to take charge of my course of treatment and make decisions based on knowledge learned in good part from my involvement in the PAF, even if it was at odds with doctors who were treating me. In my case, things have worked out well to date. In the 17 years since my diagnosis, I have not had an invasive treatment. Although I am encouraged with my present condition, I have no illusions about not having a diseased prostate, and plan to continue the regiment I have developed with the help of the PAF. I’m convinced that I am on the right road to managing my disease. I have hiked regularly with the PAF since 2010 and have participated in several Cancer Climb and Trek for Prostate Awareness expeditions in various parts of the world. Everyone one has been educational and memorable. I enthusiastically look forward to the Dolomites.

Won’t you please support my efforts with contribution?

John Loesing

Brad Neal

Lauren & Patrick Maples

Rick Mohovich – Upper Saddle River, NJ

Erdem Tamguney