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The 2008 Mount McKinley Breast Cancer Climb

The Climb

On June 25, 2008, Connecticut mountaineer and Yale Senior Research Analyst, Lew Nescott, Jr., will attempt a summit of Alaska’s Mount McKinley to benefit the Yale Cancer Center Breast Cancer Program.  The 2008 Mount McKinley Breast Cancer Climb, which is made possible through the generous corporate support of Trailblazer LLC, will honor the courage of survivors, and the memory of those before them, by raising vital funds for state-of-the-art breast cancer research underway at Yale.  The climb should take between 18 and 22 days to complete and will move through five camps all the way to the summit, weather permitting.

The Mountain
Standing 20,320 feet above sea level, Mount McKinley (also known by its native-American name, Denali, meaning ‘the great one’), is the highest point in North America and one of the seven highest continental summits in the world.  Located at a latitude that is more northerly than Mount Everest, climbers have been known to experience hurricane-force winds in excess of 100 miles per hour with arctic temperatures approaching 50 below zero.

The Motivation

Despite the many challenges, Mr. Nescott considers it "A privilege to climb in support of Yale Cancer Center’s mission to bring tomorrow’s treatments and cures to patients today.”  Having witnessed the heroic struggles of women with breast cancer, it is a mission he is strongly committed to.

Trailblazer LLC, has agreed to support Mr. Nescott in his difficult journey, providing him with equipment and financial support.  Karen Brown, Director of Marketing for Trailblazer, says, "We are very happy to be teaming up with Lew for this commendable journey he is taking to honor and support women with breast cancer."

Dr. Lyndsay Harris, Director of the Breast Cancer Program at Yale Cancer Center and co-Director of the Yale-New Haven Breast Center, looks forward to the benefits that the climb will have. "Lew Nescott's climb is going to have a positive affect on Yale Cancer Center and the Breast Cancer Program. Support such as this is so encouraging."

What You Can Do
To show your support for the climb, become a member of the expedition team by making a donation in support of The 2008 Mount McKinley Breast Cancer Climb.  All donations will directly support the Yale Cancer Center Breast Cancer Program.  To make a donation, please print out our online donation form and note that your donation is for the occasion of the Breast Cancer Climb.  Please mail your donation to the Yale Cancer Center Office of Development, 157 Church Street, New Haven, CT 06510-2100.