Climb. Conquer. Cure. 
March 26th, 2023

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

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. We have the option of participating virtually at another location, as long as we meet the elevation goal.  Although it will be challenging, it pales in comparison to what blood cancer patients go through. All proceeds benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. 

Why I participate in the Big Climb?

My husband, Jeff Welch, was diagnosed with Mantle Cell Lymphoma in 2016.  MCL is a rare form of lymphoma.  Although he fought a hard battle, he lost the war in 2019.  We were fortunate to receive support from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society during his battle.  

Jeff was a fire fighter and devoted his career to ensuring that fire fighters are well trained.  He cared deeply about all emergency responders.  One of his final wishes was to start a not-for-profit to provide assistance to the families of fallen emergency responders in Idaho.  The JW Memorial Foundation (JWMF) was started in his memory in 2021.  Although I have participated in the Big Climb since 2020, the partnership between the Big Climb and JWMF began last year when we started a team and named it the JWMF Team.  This partnership will continue as long as we can climb!  

We climb for a cure!  

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!