$100k lesson from Jess

A new addition to the Climb for Cancer Care team, Jess Perrie, shares her thoughts and reasons for why she is participating in this year's climb: Sometimes life just hands you a lot of crap, and sometimes, its all at once.  This is the place I found myself last fall.  Its always hard to see beyond the crap, to see the future and know that it will be better.  Then I got a phone call from a good friend who I hadn't talked to in a while.  She asked me to become apart of a team of women climbing up Mt. Rainier.  That was the question that brought me out of my hole. When you're going through a struggle, I always find it amazing as to what gives you strength.  It could be anything, from climbing a mountain to a really good piece of cheese.  It doesn't matter where you get it, just that you found it. And whats important is that it keeps you going and helps build perseverance and determination.  I'm hoping that Climb for Cancer Care gives strength to those in need.  I hope that this is what allows them to see the future and fight the hardest battle anyone will ever know. Why am I climbing?  To give someone else the determination.  To let them know that they are not alone. To help them continue the fight. Plus, I hear theres a great view from the top:)

$100k Thoughts from Alana

Alana Campbell is a first time Climb for Cancer Care participant. What follows is a unique perspective we don't always get: the nurse's. Alana is an example for all of us to aspire to in our daily workings, focusing in on the little things that tend to go overlooked yet make the greatest difference. Here is her story: I think it's a safe statement to make that almost everyone has been personally affected by cancer at some point in their lives, I can certainly say the same for myself.  However, beyond watching some of my own family and friends struggle with this disease, I have also watched many, many strangers battle cancer as well.  My first job out of college, at a naive 21 years old, was at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in New Hampshire.  It was there that I put my four years of studying to use, caring for patients on a unit that specialized in surgical cancer treatment.  I started IV's, infused cancer fighting meds, pushed drugs to battle pain, swiftly followed by anti-nausea meds to battle the pain meds...  I could go on and on.  Luckily, nursing school had prepared me to do all of this.  What nursing school didn't teach me however, that I learned during those first years of my career, was to stay in a patient's room just a little longer after pushing those meds - to hold a hand, or rub a back, as someone got sick into their little pink emesis basin.  That warm blankets and soothing CD's did more to battle pain than morphine ever could.  It was the little things that made the biggest difference.  That first nursing job was over 6 years ago.  I am proud to say that I have taken those skills I first learned and am now using them to work with critically ill infants at Maine Medical Center here in Portland.  And while I continue to start IV's, push drugs, and adjust ventilator settings - the true nursing happens when I play a lullaby CD to sooth a stressed infant, snuggle them in a homemade knit blanket and hat, or see the relief on a parents face when I give them a gas card because they can't afford the drive to and from the hospital each day to visit their baby.  All of these things may seem little to us, but they mean the world to our patients and their families, and they are often provided with donated funds.  While I don't work personally with the Gibson Pavilion, I know their patients benefit from the same small comforts that I described above.  Comforts that would not be available if it were not for the help of people like Pat and Climb for Cancer Care.  I consider myself truly lucky that I am able to join the team this year in their fundraising efforts, combining my love of the outdoors and my desire to challenge myself physically, with my passion for the continued comfort and care of the patients at Maine Med.  A big thank you to those who have and will support us, because, while the climb itself is very exciting, it is the donations behind it that give it purpose.

Why I'm Doing This by Jeremy Foster

Jeremy Foster first joined Climb for Cancer Care in 2011 for the coldest, snowiest, windiest C3 on record - the tumultuously fun Mt. Washington attempt. In his story below, Emu states why he is preparing to attack Rainier and raise huge coin in the process: I'm doing this for two reasons.  The first is that I've wanted to climb Rainier since I was 11 years old.  That year, my brother got to go with a Boy Scout troop and he took the last spot on the trip.  He talked about how amazing and beautiful it was, so it's always been something I wanted to see for myself. The second reason is the real reason, and that's for the loved ones in my life and my family's life that have fought cancer at one point in their lives.  For my good friends, Judy Lawler and Ginny Reinholdt, who have been fighting bravely.  And for close friends that I've lost, Al Gould, Dan Veilleux, Uncle Jimmy, and Uncle Dickie.  I think about them almost every day, which makes training for this endeavor so much easier.  I'm thrilled to be a part of this wonderful experience for such a tremendous cause. What's your story? -C3

$100k Lessons

We're back. Apologies to those of you who actually take the time to read this. We are six weeks out from the sixth annual Climb for Cancer Care and are approaching the original goal of $100,000 Director Pat Connolly set when he founded C3 in 2006. As we embark to cross the threshold of $100,000, we will be posting a series of shorts entitled, "$100k Lessons" where this year's climbers will share their personal stories - learned and experienced - related to cancer. Be sure to check back frequently for new posts every few days. Get to know the heroes on the hill; learn what will push them to the top. -C3