HLC Blog
Cancer Survivors and Caregivers Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro
Cancer Survivors and Caregivers Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro
YMCA Healthy Living Center Personal Trainer; Mary Van Heukelom worked with a group of about 35 cancer survivors and caregivers to help them train for their week-long climb to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa. Mary's Y heart, her devotion to healthy living and her personal training expertise were a perfect fit to partner with this group. The team, led by American Cancer Society volunteer and radiation oncologist Dr. Richard Deming, is taking part in a program organized by the nonprofit group, Above and Beyond Cancer. The group offers adventures to inspire cancer survivors as well as raise money to fight cancer.
Members of the team held a Relay For Life event on the mountain top that included the lighting of 1,000 luminaria bags. The bags bear the names of people who have been affected by cancer. Donations for naming the bags will go to the American Cancer Society.
In a letter to his fellow climbers, Dr. Deming wrote, “Climbing a mountain is a metaphor that many cancer survivors use to describe their cancer experience. It’s difficult, but when you succeed, there is a rush of excitement and a huge sense of accomplishment. It’s not just about getting to the top; it’s also about life’s lessons that you learn along the way.”
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