Ken Malik – Santa Rosa, CA

When I founded the Prostate Awareness Foundation in 1995 my goal was to have the PAF help men and their families dealing with prostate problems with patient driven, non-biased information. That mission has not changed.

I kept my prostate cancer from needing treatment for twenty-five years until I had a radical prostatectomy (surgical removal) right before Covid struck in 2020. I adopted a strategy back in 1995 that I still use today. This plan includes a prostate friendly diet, a regular exercise program and a number of stress management techniques. I feel so fortunate. These lifestyle changes have also helped me to avoid many of the common diseases of aging including heart disease, blood and cholesterol issues. I can honestly say that my prostate cancer at this point has been a life changing and positive experience.

I have been on all 20 of the previous Cancer Climb and Trek for Prostate Awareness expeditions and I’m hoping this will not be my last. The goals have not changed since 2001: 1) Inspire men and their families with the knowledge that there can be rich and rewarding life after a cancer diagnosis. 2) To raise critically need funding for the PAF so it can continue its important outreach programs. 3) Spread the word about prostate health issues. I am proud to have the opportunity to participate once again.

We need your help if we are to be successful in reaching our fundraising goals and have the PAF continue to offer the free guidance and information vital to men and their families all over. Please join us in spirit when we attempt the summit of Mt Washington and other peaks in the Presidential Range of the White Mountains in New Hampshire.

Many thanks in advance for your generous contribution.

Ken Malik is the co-founder and executive director of the Prostate Awareness Foundation.

You can support the PAF by making a tax-deductible donation via PayPal using your PayPal account or a credit card using the ‘Donate” button below.

Bill Hartley – Pflugerville, TX

You can support the PAF by making a tax-deductible donation via PayPal using your PayPal account or a credit card using the ‘Donate” button below. Thanks for your support.

Danny Kilgore – Newbury Park, CA

My wife and and I are participating in this year’s Prostate Awareness Foundation climb in honor of my father-in-law, Jim Cozad. He lost his long battle with prostate cancer in October 2022. Jim was a lover of the outdoors and participated in several of the cancer climbs including one of the first climbs on Mount Aconcagua in Argentina. PAF was a very important part of Jim’s battle with cancer and he was always so proud of the expeditions he participated in and the people he met along the way. We want to carry on his passion for being outdoors and spreading awareness about prostate cancer.

Both my wife and I are passionate outdoor enthusiasts. We love camping, travelling and exploring the world with our children, Emma (13) and Tyler (11). As a family, we have visited over 20 national parks, completed several overnight backpacking trips, and camped over 200 nights in our travel trailer. While our kids keep us busy with their sports, music and school we both enjoy getting out on the trails for runs, hikes and mountain bike rides.

Please join us in supporting the PAF in recognition of my father-in-law.
We look forward to sharing the trails and stories with the other climbers during this year’s expedition.

Jaime Kilgore-Cozad – Newbury Park, CA

My husband and I are participating in this year’s Prostate Awareness Foundation climb in honor of my father, Jim Cozad. He lost his long battle with prostate cancer in October 2022. My father was a lover of the outdoors and participated in several of the cancer climbs including one of the first climbs on Mount Aconcagua in Argentina. I got the opportunity to join him for the 2008 expedition to Yosemite National Park. PAF was a very important part of my dad’s battle with cancer and he was always so proud of the expeditions he participated in and the people he met along the way. We want to carry on his passion for being outdoors and spreading awareness about prostate cancer.

Both my husband and I are passionate outdoor enthusiasts. We love camping, travelling and exploring the world with our children, Emma (13) and Tyler (11). As a family, we have visited over 20 national parks, completed several overnight backpacking trips, and camped over 200 nights in our travel trailer. While our kids keep us busy with their sports, music and school we both enjoy getting out on the trails for runs, hikes and mountain bike rides.

Please join us in supporting the PAF in recognition of my father.
We look forward to sharing the trails and stories with the other climbers during this year’s expedition.

Ralph Lake – Austin, TX

I am a retired engineering executive, on the board of directors of the Prostate Awareness Foundation and living in Austin, TX. I will be one of this year’s expedition leaders.

This will be my sixteenth Cancer Climb and Trek for Prostate Awareness expedition. It seems like no family these days goes untouched by cancer. My father and four uncles were all diagnosed with cancer. These expeditions are a great way to spread the word.

My old high school classmate Ken Malik and I became reacquainted 24 years ago and he has really given me an education about healthy living and prostate cancer. With the awareness I have gained about prostate health, I am taking a positive, proactive position regarding prostate cancer prevention. At my age, many of my male friends are now dealing with prostate issues. I have been sharing PAF based information with them and helping them understand what to expect when they connect with their medical professionals. I believe that awareness and personal action are key elements to prevention, early detection and the early treatments that save lives.

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

You can support the PAF by making a tax-deductible donation via PayPal using your PayPal account or a credit card using the ‘Donate” button below. Thanks for your support.

Jeanette Lebell – Sebastopol, CA

My late husband’s diagnosis with prostate cancer at age 41 profoundly affected our lives for over two decades before it claimed his life at age 63. One of the few positive impacts of the disease was that we developed a close, lasting relationship with the Prostate Awareness Foundation and the wonderful people involved with it. PAF continues to support those confronting the disease with an emphasis on an integrative approach to healthy living and healing, a cause which remains rather dear to my heart.

This will be my fourth major outing with PAF although I’ve participated in the organization’s Annual Jan Zlotnick Memorial High Country gatherings dedicated to my husband and other hikes and events closer to home.

Prostate cancer, with its numerous forms and iterations, reminds me of a seven-headed monster. Its commonality is such that almost everyone has heard: “A man is more likely to die with prostate cancer than from it”. While statistically accurate, I think this gets tossed around in a way that often demeans the
reality of those men who are battling for their lives and acts as a subtle deterrent for disease-free men to be proactive about staying healthy.

Controversy surrounds virtually every aspect of the disease from risks/benefits of routine PSA testing, follow up testing options, and the life altering effects of various treatment options. PAF provides advice and support to help men wade through some of the controversy so they can make decisions that are right
for them. It does so in the context of universally accepted healthy lifestyle guidelines, as well as providing resources to aid in the exploration of some less-universally accepted treatment modalities. Lifestyle choices for healthy eating, stress reduction and exercise (such as hiking) have many wonderful side-
effects regardless of whether you have — or have ever had — a prostate.

One lingering positive impact from Jan’s diagnosis is the inescapable reminder to live fully in the present.

This trip to Mount Washington in the White Mountains of New Hampshire will allow me to help raise some funds for PAF and awareness about prostate cancer. As always, Jan will be with me in spirit on this journey.

You can support the PAF by making a tax-deductible donation via PayPal using your PayPal account or a credit card using the ‘Donate” button below. Thanks for your support.

Tom Lennon – San Francisco, CA

I’ve been participating in regular Monday hikes with the Prostate Awareness Foundation (PAF) each week for about twelve years, after being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2008. I’ve also participated in several PAF annual Cancer Climb and Trek for Prostate Awareness expeditions. Not only have these activities fostered vigorous exercise, a key component in my cancer fighting protocol, but also enabled me to forge friendships with people of a like mind and circumstance.

Some of my most vivid memories are of events that occurred during these PAF treks. I’m glad and grateful to have taken every one and hopeful that there will be many more. Please know that you will be there with me in spirit when we attempt the summit of Mt Washington in the Presidential Range of the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

Your support of my fundraising efforts is truly appreciated.

You can support the PAF by making a tax-deductible donation via PayPal using your PayPal account or a credit card using the ‘Donate” button below.

Steve Massaro – Del Valle, Texas

I am glad to be able to participate in the PAF’s Mt Washington, Presidential Range Expedition. My prostate cancer journey really got going in earnest in November 2021 with a very high PSA 47 followed by a PSAMA Pet scan, which showed no metastasis (So thankful for that). Followed by a fusion biopsy with Gleason Scores of 4+3=7, and genetic testing. Based on these cutting-edge diagnostic tools I underwent a round of Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) and multiple rounds of radiation. My most recent tests look good. I do realize that this will be a lifelong journey with regular tests to make sure I remain in the clear.

I am now in training for the Cancer Climb and Trek expedition to the White Mountains. You will be there with me in spirit when we attempt the summit. Thanks for your support.

You can support the PAF by making a tax-deductible donation via PayPal using your PayPal account or a credit card using the ‘Donate” button below. Thanks for your support.

Rick Mohovich – Upper Saddle River, NJ

You can support the PAF by making a tax-deductible donation via PayPal using your PayPal account or a credit card using the ‘Donate” button below. Thanks for your support.

Sahar Pinkham – Sebastopol, CA

You can support the PAF by making a tax-deductible donation via PayPal using your PayPal account or a credit card using the ‘Donate” button below. Thanks for your support.

Renee Russo – Santa Rosa, CA

I have been practicing proactive health habits most of my life. I was raised in a religious household that included no alcohol, no caffeine and a vegetarian diet, and although I have modified those restrictions some as an adult, I continue to strive daily toward optimal physical, emotional and spiritual health.

17 years ago, my daughter and I became the owners of the Breast Thermography Center here in Santa Rosa, California. For the next 15 years, we were passionate about educating, empowering and supporting women who were taking preventive actions to maintain their breast health.

Thermography literally means “heat map” and is used to evaluate the blood vessel activity (also called angiogenesis) found in some breast tissue. 90% of breast cancers require blood flow to feed a tumor, and thermography is able to locate these patterns up to 10 years before a tumor is detected with traditional Western medical screenings.

Although the thermal images were an important “color report card” for our clients, encouraging women to adopt healthier lifestyle practices, heal emotional and spiritual wounds and practice radical self care were far more profound suggestions for them. We were constantly astounded by how many women thought it was selfish to take care of their own needs before others. Our job was to give them permission to do that.

We also encouraged women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer to do their own research, get a 2nd or 3rd opinion, and to choose the treatments that they wanted, whether those actions included traditional or alternative medicine. Of course, once they chose their path, we supported them along the way.

When I met Ken 5 years ago and learned about his Prostate Awareness Foundation, I was instantly impressed with his wealth of knowledge about the disease and the multitude of resources he continues to provide men all over the world. We had so much in common regarding our focus on holistic methods of health; the only difference being he worked with men and I with women. I shared his website with all of my breast Thermography clients, many of whom had husbands with prostate challenges. These women were able to share Ken’s valuable information as their male loved ones navigated the frequently confusing maze of treatment offerings.

When I learned of this trip to Mount Washington, I instantly knew I wanted to go! I have spent very little time back East, being a born-and-raised Northern California girl, and have never seen the New England fall colors either. So I’m very excited!

Although I have knees that don’t like to hike, I am very active – walking, gardening, resistance training at the gym, and playing pickleball as often as possible! I will be part of the support team by helping organize and cook the food and keeping the courageous hiker’s spirits up.

Its such a privilege to be able to participate in this expedition, while helping to further the essential resources Ken offers via the Prostate Awareness Foundation!

Thank you in advance should you feel inspired to contribute to this essential work!

You can support the PAF by making a tax-deductible donation via PayPal using your PayPal account or a credit card using the ‘Donate” button below.