Here is the news release article that ran in my hometown newspaper in Escanaba, MI. I am pictured with Susan and Phil Ershler who are featured in the article as the honorary co-chair people of the event.
Phil and Susan are mountain climbers and the first couple to summit the highest peaks on all seven continents together. Phil is also the first American to have climbed Mt. Everest and an amazing 3 time cancer survivor. You can read about their life journey in their new book titled "Together On Top Of The World" which was released in stores April 2nd.
Special note: THANK YOU ALL who have donated to my fundraising efforts, have encouraged me, sent me well wishes and congratulations, and who have believed in me by showing your acknowledgement and support. I could not have accomplished these feats or gotten as far as I have without your love, hope, faith, and prayers! Thank you! You are my motivation and driving force! :o)
Sincerely from the deep recesses of my heart and soul, Rebecca
2007 Big Climb for Leukemia
Former Escanaba resident Rebecca Dufek to scale tallest building west of Mississippi at Seattle’s Big Climb for Leukemia
Climbers ages 8 to 82 to climb tallest building west of Mississippi for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
ESCANABA, March 13, 2007 – Rebecca (De Grand) Dufek will join famed climbers Phil and Susan Ershler, the first couple in history to successfully climb the famed Seven Summits – summiting the highest mountain on all seven continents – as they battle life-threatening blood cancers Sunday, March 18 at Seattle’s 21st annual Big Climb for Leukemia.
A 14 year survivor of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Rebecca, 35, will climb in honor of her grandfather Clarence De Grand who lost his battle Myeloma cancer last August. This will be Rebecca’s first year in the Big Climb event. In 2006, Rebecca was a member of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training program which trains participants to complete a marathon while raising funds for blood cancer research. In November Rebecca finished the 26.2 mile Seattle marathon course in memory of her grandfather.
The annual climb to the top of the tallest building (by stories) west of the Mississippi raised $465,000 in 2006 to fight blood cancers. Along with the Scott Firefighter Stairclimb, March 4, the Big Climb for Leukemia is one of two Seattle climbs benefiting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society this March.
“When I first learned about the Big Climb I thought it was a great idea! Not only is it a personal pursuit but a meaningful purpose towards a worthwhile endeavor I believe in,” said Rebecca. “Each step I will be reminded of what I and other blood cancer patients have or are going through. It is that reminder which will help drive me to the top.”
Beginning at 8:30 a.m., climbers will sprint-climb 788 feet in vertical elevation (1,311 stairs / 69 stories) from the Fifth Ave. lobby level to the 73rd floor observation deck of the Columbia Center. At 943 feet tall, the Columbia Center is about one and a half times the height of the Space Needle.
Like many competitive fun runs, both competitive and “fun” categories are available to accommodate all ages and abilities with individual climbers and teams vying for best time in six age categories and most funds raised. To make a donation to fight blood cancers in support of Rebecca’s climb, please visit her fundraising page at www.active.com/donate/2007bigclimb/bc07RDufek .
“Sometimes things are destined to be,” said Phil Ershler who along with his wife Susan will co-chair the Big Climb. “I’ve been treated for two different cancers – one just prior to heading for Everest in 2002, which delayed the quest, and the other just after the climb,” said Ershler, who has also seen his Ecuadorian goddaughter and a Whitman College classmate both survive their Leukemia diagnosis as well as losing his friend and Mt. McKinley climbing partner, the famous Iditerod winner, Susan Butcher, to the disease this last year.
“Surviving cancer means a second chance at life,” said Ershler. “This is possible, in part, because of research funded by events like the Big Climb for Leukemia. “Sue and I are honored to play even a small roll in the ongoing efforts of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.”
More than 747,000 Americans have leukemia, myeloma or lymphoma, the most common form of blood cancer. Among children under 20, leukemia causes more deaths than any other cancer. In 2006, an estimated 2,640 Washingtonians were diagnosed with blood cancer and an estimated 1,150 lost their battle with the disease.
For more information on the 21st annual Big Climb for Leukemia, please visit http://www.bigclimb.org/
About TOGETHER ON TOP OF THE WORLD
When Phil and Susan Ershler reached the top of Mt. Everest, they became the first couple in history to scale the fabled Seven Summits. TOGETHER ON TOP OF THE WORLD is the story of their journey—through life-threatening illnesses—to the highest mountain on every continent, to the extremes of elation and despair. It is a love story, an adventure story, a story of success against all odds. Above all, it is the story of two people who refused to back down in quest of a seemingly impossible dream. TOGETHER ON TOP OF THE WORLD by Phil & Susan Ershler with Robin Simons will be available at the Big Climb for Leukemia and in book stores April 2. A portion of the proceeds from copies of TOGETHER ON TOP OF THE WORLD sold at the Big Climb for Leukemia will benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
About the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society®, (http://www.lls.org/) headquartered in White Plains, NY, is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. Since its founding in 1949, the Society has invested more than $424 million in research specifically targeting leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma.
The Washington/Alaska Chapter (www.lls.org/wa) is one of 66 local chapters across the US, with additional branches in Canada. Located in Seattle since 1984, the Washington/Alaska Chapter is close to the treatment facilities where patients and families come for lifesaving therapies. Major, annual fundraising campaigns include Team In Training®, Light The Night® Walk, School & Youth Programs, the Scott Firefighter Stairclimb, the Big Climb for Leukemia and The Leukemia Cup Regatta.
www.lls.org/wa
2007 Big Climb for Leukemia
Former Escanaba resident Rebecca Dufek to scale tallest building west of Mississippi at Seattle’s Big Climb for Leukemia
Climbers ages 8 to 82 to climb tallest building west of Mississippi for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
ESCANABA, March 13, 2007 – Rebecca (De Grand) Dufek will join famed climbers Phil and Susan Ershler, the first couple in history to successfully climb the famed Seven Summits – summiting the highest mountain on all seven continents – as they battle life-threatening blood cancers Sunday, March 18 at Seattle’s 21st annual Big Climb for Leukemia.
A 14 year survivor of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Rebecca, 35, will climb in honor of her grandfather Clarence De Grand who lost his battle Myeloma cancer last August. This will be Rebecca’s first year in the Big Climb event. In 2006, Rebecca was a member of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training program which trains participants to complete a marathon while raising funds for blood cancer research. In November Rebecca finished the 26.2 mile Seattle marathon course in memory of her grandfather.
The annual climb to the top of the tallest building (by stories) west of the Mississippi raised $465,000 in 2006 to fight blood cancers. Along with the Scott Firefighter Stairclimb, March 4, the Big Climb for Leukemia is one of two Seattle climbs benefiting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society this March.
“When I first learned about the Big Climb I thought it was a great idea! Not only is it a personal pursuit but a meaningful purpose towards a worthwhile endeavor I believe in,” said Rebecca. “Each step I will be reminded of what I and other blood cancer patients have or are going through. It is that reminder which will help drive me to the top.”
Beginning at 8:30 a.m., climbers will sprint-climb 788 feet in vertical elevation (1,311 stairs / 69 stories) from the Fifth Ave. lobby level to the 73rd floor observation deck of the Columbia Center. At 943 feet tall, the Columbia Center is about one and a half times the height of the Space Needle.
Like many competitive fun runs, both competitive and “fun” categories are available to accommodate all ages and abilities with individual climbers and teams vying for best time in six age categories and most funds raised. To make a donation to fight blood cancers in support of Rebecca’s climb, please visit her fundraising page at www.active.com/donate/2007bigclimb/bc07RDufek .
“Sometimes things are destined to be,” said Phil Ershler who along with his wife Susan will co-chair the Big Climb. “I’ve been treated for two different cancers – one just prior to heading for Everest in 2002, which delayed the quest, and the other just after the climb,” said Ershler, who has also seen his Ecuadorian goddaughter and a Whitman College classmate both survive their Leukemia diagnosis as well as losing his friend and Mt. McKinley climbing partner, the famous Iditerod winner, Susan Butcher, to the disease this last year.
“Surviving cancer means a second chance at life,” said Ershler. “This is possible, in part, because of research funded by events like the Big Climb for Leukemia. “Sue and I are honored to play even a small roll in the ongoing efforts of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.”
More than 747,000 Americans have leukemia, myeloma or lymphoma, the most common form of blood cancer. Among children under 20, leukemia causes more deaths than any other cancer. In 2006, an estimated 2,640 Washingtonians were diagnosed with blood cancer and an estimated 1,150 lost their battle with the disease.
For more information on the 21st annual Big Climb for Leukemia, please visit http://www.bigclimb.org/
About TOGETHER ON TOP OF THE WORLD
When Phil and Susan Ershler reached the top of Mt. Everest, they became the first couple in history to scale the fabled Seven Summits. TOGETHER ON TOP OF THE WORLD is the story of their journey—through life-threatening illnesses—to the highest mountain on every continent, to the extremes of elation and despair. It is a love story, an adventure story, a story of success against all odds. Above all, it is the story of two people who refused to back down in quest of a seemingly impossible dream. TOGETHER ON TOP OF THE WORLD by Phil & Susan Ershler with Robin Simons will be available at the Big Climb for Leukemia and in book stores April 2. A portion of the proceeds from copies of TOGETHER ON TOP OF THE WORLD sold at the Big Climb for Leukemia will benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
About the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society®, (http://www.lls.org/) headquartered in White Plains, NY, is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. Since its founding in 1949, the Society has invested more than $424 million in research specifically targeting leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma.
The Washington/Alaska Chapter (www.lls.org/wa) is one of 66 local chapters across the US, with additional branches in Canada. Located in Seattle since 1984, the Washington/Alaska Chapter is close to the treatment facilities where patients and families come for lifesaving therapies. Major, annual fundraising campaigns include Team In Training®, Light The Night® Walk, School & Youth Programs, the Scott Firefighter Stairclimb, the Big Climb for Leukemia and The Leukemia Cup Regatta.
www.lls.org/wa
