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In order to know us better we would like to share our inspiration and the reason behind the creation of Climbing 4 the Cure. These are the people that touched our lives and so many others that were all were affected by this terrible disease.
In 1984, Don Burns died from colon cancer very abruptly . He was a father of 7, a devout husband, an entrepreneur and an Army Viet Nam Veteran.
In 1991, Darrel Burns died after a 3-year struggle with cancer. When he passed he was 6ft tall and weighed only 120 pounds. He was a pillar in his community, creating the first radio station there and constantly reaching out to help anyone in need. He served his country in the Navy in WWII. He left behind a wife, 4 children, and over 30 grand and great-grand children.
In November of 2003, Bob Brashear died after a 30-year battle with Leukemia. He was an avid hunter and outdoors man with a passion for nature. He worked for the Army Corp of Engineers in WWII and helped to start the Los Alamos National Laboratory Museum. He was very active in his church and the community. He left behind a wife, 5 children, and over 20 grand and great-grand children.
Bonnie Wilkoff Grossman was a vibrant 49 years young and in the prime of her life. Successful as a mom, social activist, animal rights proponent, philanthropist and businesswoman. She avoided alcohol, tobacco and drugs; exercised and cooked a healthy diet for her family; and made time to smile with her friends everyday. In December., 1999 all that changed when diagnosed with metastatic pancreatic cancer. Fourteen weeks later she died at home leaving her family physician husband of 26 years, two sons, a shocked and grieving community.
Annie ended her courageous struggle with pancreatic cancer in the early morning hours of October 5 2004, in Hood River, Oregon.
"And what is as important as knowledge?" asked the mind. "Caring and seeing with the heart" answered the soul. This was one of Anne Geller's favorite quotes and describes well her manner of being in this world. She grew up on Mercer Island, Washington where she graduated from the local high school and went on to earn degrees in Speech and Hearing Sciences and a Masters in Social Work at the University of Washington. After graduation Anne used her talents at the University of Washington's Experimental Education Unit, Group Health Hospital and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. A lover of the outdoors, she chose to settle in Hood River 10 years ago to windsurf, ski, climb, hike and to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Anne worked for Mid-Columbia Head Start as its Mental Health Specialist before starting her private therapy practice and mediation work with the 7th Judicial District's Mediators and ADR Commission.
Always a vibrant part of her community Anne was a member of Riverside Community Church. She was a published writer and enjoyed traveling and spending time with her many friends and family.
Anne lived life to the fullest - was professional, gentle, caring, generous, intelligent, and forgiving. As a friend recently added to Annie's web site, "There's no easy way to describe how much we'll miss her, how much we'll miss her compassion, her sense of humor, her invaluable friendship and her overwhelmingly positive attitude. She left our community better off than she found it, her contributions will be missed."
TEAM C4C
Rob and Ken Burns grew up in the mountains of Northern New Mexico. From the time they were born till today they have had a passion for the outdoors and helping those in need; a trait learned from both of their grandfathers. After their second grandfather, and fifth family member, passed away from cancer they decided it was time to step forward. They came up with the idea to combine thier passion (a goal of climbing the seven summits) with a plan to raise money for cancer research and charities. But of course it in the fasion of the brothers this alone would not be sufficient. They decided to set out to conquer these mountains in the shortest amount of time possible, 160 days, which would break the old record of 214 day, and set a fund raising goal at $100,000,000. They will be the first two brother team to accomplish this feat as well. Thier perserverance, motivation, and tenacity will be the driving force of team C4C.
 Josh Grossman
has a dual degree from the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University as well as a Masters in the Liberal Arts from St. John's College in Annapolis, MD. He is an avid outdoors-man who relishes both adventure and experience with equal zeal. His passion is to continue to mold himself into the renaissance man that his father best epitomizes. He is grateful for the opportunity to embark on such a great mission with his closest friends. While he understands the monumental difficulty of the task he continues to strive each day to make the world just a little better place.
Scott Woolums started Adventures International Inc. in 1991 and it has steadily grown into a unique organization focused on quality, small group climbing expeditions, adventure travel, trekking, and safaris. Scott has summited Mt. Everest now twice and has lead over 120 expeditions to high altitude and many more to lower altitude destinations. He is among an elite group of less than 5 professional guides to have guided All 7 Summits successfully. All this while finding time to pursue personal goals of climbing (rock, high altitude, and alpine), exploring the jungles and deserts of the world, flying airplanes, skiing and mountain biking. A key personal goal is visiting new countries and experiencing/studying their culture
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Climbing 4 the Cure is a registered 501 (c) (3) |
