This year, I’m hoping for three things to happen during the expedition: First, that my aging body holds up to the rigors of another climb. Second, that our expedition will once again send an inspirational message to men and their families that there is an exciting life possible after a prostate cancer diagnosis. Finally, that the expedition will raise enough contributions to sustain the Prostate Awareness Foundation for another year.

For me, fortunately my cancer was diagnosed early and with strict lifestyle changes it has not progressed. These changes include a strict low fat, non-dairy vegetarian type diet (I do eat some fish), meditation practice for stress reduction, regular exercise and the use of a number of nutritional supplements. Of course, I continue to be checked regularly with the best diagnostic tools available. I’m a lucky man.

With a great partner like Gail and the healthy lifestyle measures I’ve adopted, I’m able to live a normal, active life and even participate in the rigors of high altitude mountain climbing.

I helped found the PAF back in 1995. The Foundation’s mission is to encourage men to take proactive responsibility for prevention, regular checkups and their prostate health. I am proud to have the opportunity to participate in this year’s expedition. Please help make our expedition a success by contributing in my behalf.  Your generous support is tax deductible.

Ken Malik is the co-founder and executive director of the Prostate Awareness Foundation and also a businessman in San Francisco. He is one of the team leaders of this year’s expedition.

If you would like to make a donation on my behalf with your credit card please go to http://www.firstgiving.com/kenmalik

I met Ken Malik, the co-founder and executive director of the Prostate Awareness Foundation on the first “Prostate Cancer Climb” organized by Dr Terry Weyman to honor his father Hap who had died of advanced prostate cancer. Since then there has been a Cancer Climb for Prostate Awareness expedition every year. I have been proud to be a participant on most of them. The friends I have made on these expeditions and the memories we share are invaluable.

I feel very strongly about the need to educate men about this epidemic cancer. So many of my friends and associates have prostate cancer and my father in law had the disease before passing away from a stroke. I hope our efforts will not only raise critically needed funding but also send a message of hope to men and their families all over.

We need to do a better job educating men about early detection, treatment options and preventative measures. That’s why we need to support organizations like PAF. We need your help and generous contributions to sustain our outreach efforts.

Tom is a retired chiropractor, ex-marine and is on the board of directors of PAF. He was the sports chiropractor for the Miami Dolphins, University of Miami, Pan American Games and World Olympic Association. Once again this year Tom is the head of the expedition’s medical support team and expedition photographer.

You can use your credit card to make a tax deductible contribution on my behalf by visiting my webpage at http://www.firstgiving.com/tomhyde3

My old high school classmate Ken Malik and I became reacquainted a few years ago and he has really given me an education about prostate cancer. As a retiree, I don’t want to become another statistic. With the awareness I have gained about prostate health, I am taking a positive, proactive position in regard to prostate cancer prevention. I believe that awareness and personal action are key elements to prevention, early detection, and the early treatments that save lives.

I’m an avid outdoorsman and I’m looking forward to this year’s climb and trek in the Northern Rockies of Glacier National Park. I had never considered myself a mountain climber before I got involved with PAF, but I’m in pretty good shape and this is a great way of giving something back while learning more about how to prevent prostate cancer. I’m up for the challenge and hope you will support my efforts.

Ralph Lake is a retired engineer and resides in Austin, Texas. He is on the board of directors of the Prostate Awareness Foundation. Ralph is an avid fisherman and has been an outdoorsman all his life. Once again this year, Ralph will be one the expedition leaders.

If you would like to donate on my behalf with a credit card, please go to http://www.firstgiving.com/ralphlake1

As with any journey, you pick up many supportive people along the way. One of these has been Ken Malik and the Prostate Awareness Foundation. I have been on six Cancer Climbs and they have all been memorable experiences. My journey has included Mt Blanc in the Alps, El Misti in Peru and Mt Cotopaxi in Ecuador.

I’m looking forward to this year’s expedition to Glacier National. It’s a chance to see friends from past expeditions and meet new faces, while supporting an organization that offers men and their families sane council and proactive advice on prostate health.

Rick is a contractor in Northern New Jersey, where he lives with his wife June. He is the proud father of Shawn and Lynette. Rick is a regular participant along with his son in “Make A Difference” which helps repair and build homes after disasters like Katrina and the Haitian Earthquake.

If you would like to donate on my behalf with a credit card, please go to my webpage: http://www.firstgiving.com/rickmohovich1

I feel fortunate that I got checked and was able to catch the disease early before it had spread. I get checked regularly to make sure I remain in the clear and I’m hoping the lifestyle and diet changes I have made will help to avoid a recurrence.

I’ve always been a “glass half full” rather than a “glass half empty” type of individual. I recently went to the doctors because I was experiencing knee pain. I was told recently that the cartilage in both my knees was just about gone and that I need to stop running hills and focus on doing leg extensions in the gym to strengthen my quads. So, where there is a will there is a way. There was no way a little knee pain was going to keep me from going on this year’s Cancer Climb for Prostate Awareness expedition to Glacier National Park.

Won’t you support my efforts to build awareness about prostate health and help me reach my fundraising goal?

Bill Bates is a life-long educator in the New York City School System, and an avid hiker and outdoor enthusiast.

If you would like to make a donation on my behalf with your credit card, please go to
http://www.firstgiving.com/billbates

For me I feel it is a win-win situation: a celebration of life, spending time doing something I truly enjoy, while supporting an organization that I truly value.

I’m looking forward to a week in the mountains of Montana with good hiking and fellowship.

Dave Beach is a retired Chevron Petroleum Engineer, living a healthy lifestyle in Marin County, CA.

If you would like to donate on my behalf with a credit card, please go to http://www.firstgiving.com/davidbeach

I attempted to battle the cancer with alternative medicine for over a year.  Finally, after much research, I chose prostate brachytherapy (radioactive seed implants).  After the procedure, I remained cancer free for a little over ten years.

However, in February 2005, my PSA level climbed once again and unfortunately, I was informed that the cancer had returned.  My Gleason score determined that I had a more aggressive form of prostate cancer, which had progressed outside the gland.  I have been on androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) which is a hormone blockade therapy for advanced prostate cancer for the past five years. I’m patiently awaiting a new cure.  I continue to live each day to the fullest: surfing, golfing, waterskiing, biking, kayaking, you name it and I have tried it.  However, the most important aspect of my life is my family.  Thank you for your endless love, positive outlook, and genuine care.

I’m back for my third Cancer Climb for Prostate Awareness. I’m joining this year’s expedition to raise awareness and education about prostate cancer.  Through awareness hopefully men will get screened earlier for this epidemic disease.  I’m honored to be part of this amazing team of dedicated people. I’m looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting and making new ones.

The following quote really touched me and I would like to share it with you: “If children have the ability to ignore all odds and percentages, then maybe we can all learn from them.  When you think about it, what other choice is there but to hope?  We have two options, medically and emotionally: give up, or fight like hell.”
– Lance Armstrong

Thank you for your encouragement and support!

You can use your credit card to make a tax deductible contribution on my behalf by visiting my webpage at http://www.firstgiving.com/jimcozad

Since my involvement, it’s become vividly clear that prostate cancer has reached epidemic proportions. In recent year’s my brother in law as well as five of my closest friends have been diagnosed. Their treatment paths have encompassed the full range of options from radiation and surgery to watchful waiting.

I’m proud to support an organization like PAF that offers men guidance with an emphasis on lifestyle changes like diet, stress reduction and exercise. I also appreciate the fact that PAF is a patient driven organization that offers support in dealing with the anxiety associated with diagnosis.

I’m happy to say my PSA is low and I want to keep it that way. Expeditions like our visit to Glacier National Park are a great way to learn how to take better care of my prostate health and also help a cause I believe in. It’s also a terrific way for me to keep myself physically fit and active.  

Ron MacConnell is a retired educator and administrator for the NYC school system.

If you would like to donate on my behalf with a credit card , please go to http://www.firstgiving.com/ronmacconnell