To my strong, adventurous friends:

In January of 2007 I was one of 21 climbers to have joined a movement- Climb For Hope. Together, we changed the face of breast cancer; we changed the way people came together to support a cause, and inspired so much more hope in finding a cure. With the help from friends like you, Climb For Hope raised over $150,000. We made a very real impact and became an enabler- speeding up the pace of Johns Hopkins’ research by an entire six months!

After months of intense commitment, dedication and discipline, we climbers united in Ecuador for our summit bid of Cotopaxi (19,348ft)- the highest active volcano in the world! I am proud to have endured the 7 hours, 45 minutes of struggle to the top, and to have been one of 17 climbers to stand tall on that summit! With the loss of a toenail, incredible numbness to my feet, exhaustion like I’ve never felt, and body pain that had me clenching my teeth, I can truthfully say, that without a doubt I’d do it all over if I could. So to my strong, adventurous friends, this announcement may not come as any surprise: I’m climbing for HOPE, yet again!

The stakes are greater, the fundraising harder. I am attempting one of the seven summits of the world: Africa’s highest peak, Kilimanjaro, standing tall at 19,341ft. In June of 2008 I will be partnering with many of the same enthusiasts from Cotopaxi, including world-renowned climber, Chris Warner (currently attempting a summit of K2). My goal? Raising $9,000 to support the FIGHT against cancer (where 100% of the funds will directly support Dr. Emens’ research).

You may be one of many, reading and thinking, why, Ashley? Why take on the commitment to raise $9,000 in less than a year’s time? Why strain yourself- physically, mentally, emotionally? Why the risk? Why the effort? And why, again?

BECAUSE…

This is our INSPIRATION and our OBSESSION, this is what fuels and enables our EXPRESSION and our PROGRESSION. This is what moves us and pushes us and makes us who we are. Living, loving and learning from climbing…from one day to another…from one climber to another. This is what DEFINES us and DRIVES us. We climb for HOPE; to fund the cure; to raise awareness; to brighten tomorrow’s vision for a cancer-free world.

Join my efforts- my passion and my vision for a cancer-free tomorrow. Give the gift of HOPE to our mothers, sisters and daughters of the world.

Climbing as an instrument of change,

Ashley Anderson