Ken Malik
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
This will be my fifth Cancer Climb for Prostate Awareness. I’m hoping that our expedition will once again send an inspirational message to men and their families: that there is plenty of life possible after a prostate cancer diagnosis.
I’m now sixty-one years old and in my twelfth year since being diagnosed. I have never had any conventional treatment! 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 the healthy lifestyle I’ve adopted I’m able to participate in the rigors of high altitude mountain climbing.
The Cancer Climb’s have raised almost $500,000 for awareness programs and education. Our goal 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 once again. Please join us in spirit in August when we attempt the summits of Mt Elbert and Mt Massive in the Colorado Rockies. All donations are 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.
Brad Neal
AUSTIN, TX
I can’t believe this will be my fourth Cancer Climb for Prostate Awareness. I never intended to be a mountain climber but I’ve been to Yosemite, Mt Kilimanjaro and the Peruvian Andes to help raise money for outreach and education about this epidemic affliction. When I went on the first expedition to Africa it was in honor of my father Pat, a prostate cancer survivor of over 15 years. I know he is real proud of my effort.
Prostate cancer has become a real “family affair†for me. When I returned from Africa in 2003 it was to the news that my brother had been diagnosed with aggressively growing prostate cancer. Fortunately he was diagnosed in time, had radiation therapy and is doing well.
Last year I participated in the El Misti expedition in Peru. A few of my toes froze and I still don’t have the full feeling back yet. Some of my friends think I’m crazy to continue my climbing efforts, they may be right. But this year’s climb in the Rockies, although over 14,000’ shouldn’t be as cold, so here I go again! I want to continue to help the “cause†while honoring my father and brother. I also get to hear more about ways to prevent the disease in the first place. I know I’m a pretty high-risk candidate for prostate cancer since it runs in my family. I much rather prevent it than to have to deal with it. I think these expeditions are a great way for me support prostate cancer outreach programs while learning more about taking care of my own prostate health.
Brad Neal is a mortgage broker who hails from Austin, Texas. Brad conducts an annual local golf tournament in Austin called the Bone Invitational to raise funding for PAF.
Ralph Lake
AUSTIN,TX
I can’t believe this will be my fourth Cancer Climb for Prostate Awareness. I never intended to be a mountain climber but I’ve been to Yosemite, Mt Kilimanjaro and the Peruvian Andes to help raise money for outreach and education about this epidemic affliction. When I went on the first expedition to Africa it was in honor of my father Pat, a prostate cancer survivor of over 15 years. I know he is real proud of my effort.
Prostate cancer has become a real “family affair†for me. When I returned from Africa in 2003 it was to the news that my brother had been diagnosed with aggressively growing prostate cancer. Fortunately he was diagnosed in time, had radiation therapy and is doing well.
Last year I participated in the El Misti expedition in Peru. A few of my toes froze and I still don’t have the full feeling back yet. Some of my friends think I’m crazy to continue my climbing efforts, they may be right. But this year’s climb in the Rockies, although over 14,000’ shouldn’t be as cold, so here I go again! I want to continue to help the “cause†while honoring my father and brother. I also get to hear more about ways to prevent the disease in the first place. I know I’m a pretty high-risk candidate for prostate cancer since it runs in my family. I much rather prevent it than to have to deal with it. I think these expeditions are a great way for me support prostate cancer outreach programs while learning more about taking care of my own prostate health.
Brad Neal is a mortgage broker who hails from Austin, Texas. Brad conducts an annual local golf tournament in Austin called the Bone Invitational to raise funding for PAF.
Sonia Sabir
TORONTO, CANADA
In 1996 I received the devastating news that my uncle (my father’s younger brother) Shaku was diagnosed with prostate cancer. At the time, he was a gentleman in his early fifties with a teenage daughter and wife who took exceptionally good care of himself and his family.
Ten years later my uncle is still fighting and has beaten his initial odds. I’m climbing for the soft spoken, crazy, intense (contradictory!) man who has played the role of second father to me. I love you Shaku.
Sonia Sabir, MD is an emergency room doctor in Toronto, Canada. She is also in training to be the support team doctor for a fundraising expedition next year to Mt Everest.
Ron MacConnell
STATEN ISLAND, NY
This is my second Cancer Climb for Prostate Awareness. I participated as the expedition quartermaster on the 2004 Yosemite expedition. Once again this year, I’ll be the team quartermaster. My PSA is low and I want to keep it that way. I’m looking forward to adding support to this year’s climbing team while I learn more about how to keep myself prostate healthy. These expeditions are also a great way to stay in shape.
Ron MacConnell is a retired educator and administrator for the NYC school system.
For more information about the Mt. Elbert trip, call 415-675-5661 or
e-mail kamalik@sbcglobal.net