Climbing for Breast Cancer Research

A Climb to Benefit Breast Cancer Research: Don Interdonato

Climbing first started as a personal challenge for myself. The training, pushing myself past physical and mental boundaries while connecting with the beauty of nature in its purest, most unaltered form. What I never anticipated was the emotional aspect of the climb itself and who I could potentially join on any given mountain, especially when I embarked on climining Mt. Adams back in 2005.

What drove me to partner with the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center was the realization I could take my passion and help others who have displayed their own personal strength, but for another reason - for health. I am talking about the brave souls who have, and continue to, battle breast cancer. This deadly and unforgiving disease touches all of us: our grandmothers, mothers, sisters, partners, family, and friends. I have had the honor of climbing beside these fierce and inspiring individuals on two separate occasions. I will never be able to fully describe the feeling of pushing past what seems impossible, alongside a survivor. The  experiences demonstrated the true strength and unrelenting resolve of humankind. I have had the opportunity to be reminded of what is possible in life from those who had beaten the odds of a terminal diagnosis, standing a top some of the highest mountains in the nation. Each were emotional journeys of a lifetime for all involved. It is a journey I am now making again, becuase twelve years later, there is still no cure for breast cancer.

I am honored to once again make this trek benfitting the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center to help raise funds to eradicate this disease. I will be climbing Mt. Rainier on August 18, 19, and 20, 2017. While this is a personal commitment I have made to myself and to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, I ask that you join me in supporting those who are currently working to eliminate the diagnosis of breast cancer. I've pledged $2500 to this cause and organization, and ask you to please donate to this page which will document my mountaineering journey up Mt. Rainier. Be a part of the fight against breast cancer and click the donate now button. Every little bit helps.

Thank you for your support.

With heartfelt thanks, 

Don Interdonato