Climb. Conquer. Cure. 
March 24th, 2024

Hello! I will be participating in Big Climb Seattle this year. Our efforts will help make a big difference in the fight against blood cancers.

Cancer affects us all. One way or another, your life has been affected by cancer. Early summer of 2022, cancer affected me in a way I never could have prepared myself for. My mom was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia. I can't begin to tell you how many tears fell from my face when I heard the news, when I went home from the hospital almost every Monday-Thursday not being able to hug my mom goodbye, when my mom came home after 30 days straight in the hospital, when she felt so sick and helpless for days after the treatments that were saving her, and when she called me to tell me she was in remission. Even today, I can't help but tear up so filled with love and gratitude that I now get to hug her. Especially because she gives the BEST hugs. 

My mom never gave up. She fought tooth and nail because she wouldn't let a little thing called cancer keep her down. Seriously, that woman logged so many steps in that hospital that I was afraid we would have to pay for replacement tiles from her wear patterns! And because of people like you, donating to a cause so much bigger than each of us, but means the world to so many, they get to continue on in this incredible world. Without the support of blood cancer research, my mother wouldn't have been able to meet her new baby grandson, Braxton. She wouldn't have been able to make Christmas cookies with her grandbabies, Evelyn and Blake. She wouldn't have been able to be at her father's side when he made his final peaceful rest. She would have missed out on all the small and amazing moments between. 

My story is one of many past, ongoing, or upcoming battles. There are so many moments that still need to be shared and experience. We all have the chance to take at least one more step on the road to remissions. One more step in a hard battle fought. One more step to another rare cancer cure. One more effect that brings tears of joy.

What is the Big Climb?
The Big Climb is a stair climb 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!