The 7th Annual HERA (501)(c)(3) Climb4Life, presented with the Boulder Rock Club (BRC) and Colorado Mountain School (CMS), climbing and hiking event and fundraiser, is coming to Boulder next Saturday, June 22 at 7:30am. At the time of this writing, there were less than a dozen climbing spots and many hiking spots left.
HERA stands for Health, Empowerment, Research and Awareness. Three out of these four disciplines are found in rock climbing so it’s fitting that Sean Patrick, founder of HERA, started the Climb4Life event. Patrick died in 2009 after a 12 year battle with ovarian cancer and surviving seven surgeries.
Early signs of ovarian cancer are difficult to diagnose and often women who get the disease “typically aren’t aware of it until it’s in stage 3 or 4,” said event spokeswoman Stacey Sepp. There is no stage 5. “Though the first treatment can go well a lot of women have a high rate of re-occurrence.” Once in it’s higher stage, it has a 20-30% survival rate. It affects one in 72 women in their late 50 and 60s.
“Climb4 life is open to anyone of any age, experience and with any climbing or skill level,” said Sepp. “All the gear is provided. The event offers a learning-to-climb workshop at the start of the day
The money raised by these annual events, which take place in Washington DC, Salt Lake City, Boston and Boulder, go towards “research grants at well-respected medical institutions for projects focused on early detection, treatment and prevention,” said Sepp.
Other Climb4Life events offer mountain biking and outdoor photography, though “typically the main events are the rock climbing and the hiking,” said Sepp.
Boulder’s event offers hiking or climbing with CMC guides and professional athletes, yoga, continental breakfast, and an outdoor skills clinic. The evening’s events include dinner and drinks (limit two) at the Eldorado Springs Pool and Resort. There will also be a silent auction for outdoor gear, massages, gift certificates and more, with a prize value up to $600. At the time of this writing the event has already raised nearly $18,000 with a goal of $60,000. Registration is $75. The money raised goes toward research grants, early detection, prevention and treatment.
Climb4Life events have been steadily growing in attendees since its inception seven years ago. Additional information and registration is found here.
