Why do I climb?

I first learned of the BigClimb from my wife because she told me about an amazing team that raised money for a coworker at T-Mobile. This coworker was diagnosed on October 1st, 2013 with Leukemia (AML). A flat out amazing group of not only peers but friends banded together to support Jaime by raising money through a fundraiser and then also created this very team. Since I wasn't at T-Mobile at the time I wasn't able to get in on the team but I did help with the initial fundraiser.

Fast forward a few years, I finally joined T-Mobile and instantly asked to join the team that I had heard so very much about. That year was my first climb and there have been many since. One of my most favorite climbs was climbing with the entire team but more importantly Jaime after beating Leukemia. It was an amazing experience seeing her cross the finish line and I can only imagine how much it must have meant to her. 

Shortly there after, I was able to start expanding into a leadership role with the team and took over the captain position. It has been an amazing journey since then through extremely challenging times but one thing that brings us all together is the shared common goal of ending blood cancers and support those who have survived as well as their families. 

Last year I broke an all time high record of raising $12,689.25 dollars to help fight blood cancers for the The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society through the Big Climb. It wasn't until my mom shared the news with my extended family that I learned that my aunt had fought and won her own fight with Leukemia/Lymphoma. She was fighting Non Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2019/2020 and eventually beat it. 

So why do I climb? I climb for people to support people like Jaime, my aunt, and numerous others who have beat all odds and came out ahead of Leukemia and Lymphoma. I climb for those who are currently battling the toll the treatments take on the bodies of those who are being treated or who have survived. I climb for those who are battling blood cancers hoping to one day ring a bell. I climb for those who have lost their battle to blood cancers, taken too soon from friends and family. I also climb for those who are undiagnosed so that some day maybe their diagnosis and outlook is not life-changing. 

Please help me fight blood cancers by raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma through the BigClimb! 

Climb. Conquer. Cure. 
March 24th, 2024

What is the Big Climb?
The Big Climb is a stairclimb up the Columbia Center - the tallest skyscraper in downtown Seattle. There are 69 floors of stairs, 1311 steps, and 788 feet of vertical elevation. Although it will be challenging, it pales in comparison to what blood cancer patients go through. All proceeds benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. 

Who is The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society?
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. The mission of LLS is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

Every day, more than 347 LLS sponsored researchers come closer to the goal of finding a cure for leukemia and related blood cancers. Locally, LLS funds 10 researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and University of Washington Medical Center. Your support and commitment to the mission of LLS enables us to continue this important work of saving lives and aids us in our ability to reach patients in our community.

Thank you for your time and I hope that you will consider donating to this cause!