Meet the Climb Against the Odds 2009 Team

On June 24, an inspiring team of 28 women and men scaled the 14,162-foot Mt. Shasta in Northern California.  Individually, the climbers took part in this journey to move past their experiences with breast cancer or to honor loved ones touched by the disease, and collectively, their extraordinary support has moved us one step closer to breast cancer prevention.

Learn more about Climb Against the Odds »
Read a recap of Climb Against the Odds on the Breast Cancer Fund's blog »

		Keira Armstrong, 34 – Berkeley, Calif. Both of Keira Armstrong’s grandmothers are breast cancer survivors, and her aunt is currently recovering from treatment for her second diagnosis. After attending an April Breast Cancer Fund event, Keira became so inspired by the women and men working with the Breast Cancer Fund to identify the environmental causes of the disease that she immediately signed up for Climb Against the Odds. An avid mountain climber prior to having children, Keira became instantly motivated to challenge herself for a cause that has intimately touched her extended family and community.
		Gil Arriaga, 62 - Davis, Calif. Through the years, Gil Arriaga has supported many family members and friends diagnosed with cancer. Over 30 years ago, his mother struggled with a blood-related cancer for fourteen years without benefit of cutting-edge medical care. By participating in Climb Against the Odds, he hopes to honor his mother's memory, as well as all the women who currently suffer with breast cancer, and to help raise funds to find and eliminate the preventable causes of this disease. He will join his sister-in-law and inspiration, Alice Dunning, in her second climb of Mt. Shasta with the Breast Cancer Fund.
		Wendy Aten, 37 – Oakland, Calif., survivor Wendy Aten is motivated to take on Climb Against the Odds for very personal reasons. Beyond the welcome physical and mental challenges of being a first-time climber, she sees the climb as an intensely personal journey as a young two-time breast cancer survivor. She also views supporting the Breast Cancer Fund as a unique opportunity to play a role in preventing women from ever knowing the devastation of cancer. As a staff climber for LUNA, the Breast Cancer Fund’s corporate partner, Wendy will represent a company of individuals who remind her every day how far she’s come – and that there’s no limit to how far she can go.
		Diane Ball, 52 – Carnelian Bay, Calif. Of her 32 years as a nurse, Diane Ball has worked 25 years in oncology with hundreds of patients diagnosed with cancer. While she has witness great strides in treatment, she has seen more cases of breast cancer and particularly among younger patients. Cancer has made Diane appreciate everyday that she’s alive and healthy, and it’s inspired her to do more in support of her patients.  She chose the physical and emotional journey of Climb Against the Odds as a way to honor their experiences with the disease and as an opportunity to work toward prevention.
		Jessica Nicole Barton, 27 – Richmond, Va. Cancer left a strong impression on Jess Barton at the early age of 10 with the loss of her grandfather.  While she feels fortunate that the disease has not touched other members of her immediate family, two young and healthy women close to her have recently gone through breast cancer. Jess sees her participation in Climb Against the Odds as an opportunity to work toward addressing the root causes that are increasing the rates of cancer in our society. She also loves a challenge and knows Climb Against the Odds will be an experience of a lifetime.
		Amy Boyce, 27 – San Francisco Growing up, Amy Boyce has seen the number of people diagnosed with cancer increase exponentially, but it never fully prepared her for her mother’s breast cancer diagnosis in 2006. While her mom’s experience intimately affected Amy, it was how her mom carried herself through the diagnosis and treatment that had the greatest impact. In response, Amy has changed the way she approaches her own life, health and environment. While reaching the summit of Mt. Shasta is a personal goal, Amy’s real focus is the journey to come with her teammates and supporting a cause in which she whole-heartedly believes.
		Kim Brannock, 38 – Portland, Ore. Kim Brannock has always wanted to climb a mountain.  She was particularly drawn to the Breast Cancer Fund’s Climb Against the Odds as opportunity to challenge herself for a cause that has meaning in her life. Kim has recently watched many loved one – both people and animals – struggle through cancer, and she strongly believes in the connection between the disease and our exposure to the toxic chemicals in our surroundings.  She will dedicate her journey to her co-worker and aunt, both strong women who have shown admirable strength while going through breast cancer.
		Debra Cole, 52 – West Greenwich, R.I., survivor As a breast cancer survivor, Deb Cole's life has changed in many ways since the day she received her diagnosis in 2005. She realizes that each day is a gift and an opportunity to work toward eradicating breast cancer. Deb has become very involved in breast cancer advocacy, mentoring and support, both in Rhode Island and on the national level. As a mother of two daughters, she is passionate about finding a way to protect them from the devastating impact of a breast cancer diagnosis and believes there is a strong link between toxic chemicals in our environment and this disease. Deb views Climb Against the Odds as a way to raise awareness in the global community around the preventable causes of breast cancer in the hope that it will inspire others to take action to end breast cancer.
		Alice Dunning, 57 – San Rafael, Calif. As a radiation therapist for more than 30 years, Alice Dunning has seen changes and improvements in breast cancer treatment, and she’s met hundreds of inspiring women braving the disease. Alice first learned about the Breast Cancer Fund in 1995 as she helped to treat past climber Nancy Knoble before the inaugural Climb Against the Odds, then Expedition Inspiration, on Argentina’s Mt. Aconcagua. In 1997, Alice and her sisters climbed Mt. Whitney, and they each dedicated their efforts to a cancer survivor.  Nancy was on that list and has served as a real inspiration for that climb and future outdoor adventures to benefit the Breast Cancer Fund, including several Peak Hikes, Climb Against the Odds in 2007 and Sacred Trek in Bhutan in 2008.  We welcome Alice back to Mt. Shasta as a member of Climb Against the Odds 2009.
		Pamela Erwin, 62 – Palm Springs, Calif.  Pamela Erwin has witnessed cancer, especially breast cancer, touch the lives of many of her friends and family members.  With each loss, Pam felt that she needed to more to stand-up for family and friends who had lost the battle. With a connection to the Breast Cancer Fund through her work with the Wells Fargo Foundation, Pam chose to participate in Climb Against the Odds as a way to give back to the community. She knows that she will take the strength and spirit of all of these loved ones with her to the “top of the hill” to celebrate their lives in the expedition of Mt. Shasta for breast cancer prevention.
		Steven Heird, 52 – York, Penn.  Steven Heird was originally drawn to Climb Against the Odds through his interest in Mt. Shasta, but he has joined this year’s team with wholehearted support for the Breast Cancer Fund’s mission. A physician in Pennsylvania, Steven believes that in order to reduce occurrences of cancer, we need greater investment in understanding causation. On a personal level, he has lost two friends to breast cancer, an uncle to lymphoma and is currently supporting his father as he undergoes treatment for leukemia. Through the journey of Climb Against the Odds, Steven hopes to advance wellness and disease prevention, as well as further his own spiritual development.
		Lee Ann Holt, 40 – Seattle, Wash., survivor In April 2007, Lee Ann Holt was diagnosed with stage IV ovarian cancer. By September 2008, she had completed 18 months of chemotherapy treatment and is currently in remission. Her experience with cancer has completely changed her life, and she’s come to appreciate every day and every experience, good or bad. For Lee Ann, climbing Mt. Shasta will prove she’s able to challenge herself physically and mentally in spite of her diagnosis. She also hopes to honor several friends who have not been as fortunate in their struggles with breast and ovarian cancer.
(Gary Howell, center, with 2008 climbers Hitomi Fukahori and Kameyo Okubo)		Gary Howell, 58 – Tucson, Ariz., survivor Through an unrelated accident that resulted in a doctor’s visit, Gary Howell was diagnosed with early-stage testicular cancer. Reflecting on this chance discovery, he became resolved to help others who are not as fortunate in their diagnoses. Gary and his wife, Nancy, learned about Climb Against the Odds from 2008 climber and breast cancer survivor Hitomi Fukahori. Last June, while in Mt. Shasta supporting Hitomi’s climb, Gary was deeply moved by the determination of the climbers, as well as by the Breast Cancer Fund’s conviction that breast cancer can be prevented through a commitment to taking one step at a time.
		Amy Legate McAbee, 34 – South Pomfret, Vt., survivor “Everything happens for a reason” is a phrase Amy McAbee has reflected on often, but it wasn’t until this past year that she truly believed it. On a whim, she relocated her family from Colorado to Vermont to be closer to family. Not long after returning to New England, she learned that, at age 32, she would be the first in her family to be diagnosed with breast cancer. Amy will celebrate two years of being a survivor by climbing Mt. Shasta. With personal and professional interests in protecting our natural resources, her climb is especially meaningful in that it supports the Breast Cancer Fund’s work to eliminate the preventable links to breast cancer, including toxic chemicals found in our everyday environment.
		Laura Lifland, 36 – San Francisco, survivor Climb Against the Odds 2009 will be Laura Lifland’s third expedition of Mt. Shasta with the Breast Cancer Fund. She originally became aware of the event through Climb Against the Odds trainer and Breast Cancer Fund Hero Cathy Ann Taylor, and has since become an advocate for the climb and for the work of the organization. This climb will be particularly meaningful for Laura as she recovers from her own recent bout with cancer. A full-time banker and part-time yoga teacher, Laura will be climbing to honor the women in her life who have experienced breast cancer and to work toward reducing the risk for future generations.
		Marcella Macartney, 60 – Campbell, Calif. As an end-of-life caregiver and interfaith minister, Marcella Macartney feels honored to have worked - and celebrated life - with many men, women and children as they went through cancer. She has watched some win and others lose the physical struggle, and she has a deep respect for the courage and strength they have maintained throughout the challenges. As she approached her 60th birthday, she chose Climb Against the Odds as way to celebrate life in a special way and to honor her mother, family and friends by supporting the Breast Cancer Fund’s work to prevent this disease before it starts.
		Shirley Magnuson, 55 – Dunsmir, Calif., survivor In October 1998, Shirley Magnuson was diagnosed with breast cancer. For the past 20 years, she has lived in Dunsmuir just south of Mt. Shasta, snow-shoeing to and from her home during the winter when the roads are impassable. As a greens-keeper for the Mt. Shasta Resort, she first learned about Climb Against the Odds through the Fourth of July celebrations that have helped raise awareness around the Breast Cancer Fund’s annual expedition.  On her 10th anniversary as a survivor, Shirley will take her place on the team as the Mt. Shasta climber whose fundraising will directly support Breast Cancer Services of Siskiyou County, an organization supported by the Breast Cancer Fund to give back to a community that has embraced Climb Against the Odds.
		Victoria Molinaro, 27 – Lorton, Va. Cancer became a reality for Victoria Molinaro when her cousin Roberta was diagnosed at 32 with breast cancer. As a speech pathologist, Victoria also helps many cancer patients through their rehabilitation.  Having been touched by the hardships facing her cousin and patients, Victoria has refused to sit on the sideline as others struggle. In training for her 14,162-foot climb of Mt. Shasta, she’ll be working to raise awareness and critical funds for prevention.
		Linda Morton, 45 – Seattle, Wash.  As a sales rep for Isis for Women, one of the Breast Cancer Fund’s leading sponsors, Linda Morton has known about Climb Against the Odds for many years.  Over the years, she has also had several friends diagnosed with breast cancer, including her close friend Debbie who died at 52 after a courageous 15-year struggle with the disease. In 2005, Linda honored Debbie’s life by climbing Mt. Rainier with Climb Against the Odds. She returned to Mt. Shasta the following year to summit with her teammate and friend Sherry Miller, who lost her life to breast cancer in May 2007. She will return for her fifth Climb Against the Odds expedition and is dedicating this climb to her good friend Janell Rock, who died in July 2008 after living with breast cancer for 13 years. Through her efforts, Linda has fundraised over $100,000 for prevention, and in April, the Breast Cancer Fund will honor her with the Andrea Ravinett Martin Strong Voices award at the annual Heroes Tribute for her extraordinary contributions to the organization’s work to eliminate the environmental links to breast cancer.
		Abby Orellana, 28 – Oakland, Calif.  A staff climber for the Breast Cancer Fund’s strategic partner LUNA, Abby Orellana became more intimately involved with the nonprofit through the outdoor challenge Peak Hike in 2008. Both in fundraising and hiking, she found it to be a rewarding experience and chose Climb Against the Odds as the next step in physically and mentally challenging herself in support of breast cancer prevention. She will dedicate her climb to her grandmother, who is a uterine cancer and two-time breast cancer survivor.
		Amy Paradis, 40 – Modesto, Calif. Amy Paradis, a neonatal nurse practitioner from Northern California, was inspired to climb by the many women in her life touched by breast cancer. Her mother-in-law, Elaine, was diagnosed in 1985 after a self-exam, and she’s now a 24-year survivor thriving as a well-respected nurse educator. Amy hopes to honor her role model by attempting to summit Mt. Shasta. She will also make this journey in tribute to her friend and long-time co-worker Kathi recently diagnosed with breast cancer.
		Julie Quillin, 36 – Redding, Calif.  For Julie Quillin, the week of Climb Against the Odds will be bittersweet, as it marks the third anniversary of the loss of her dear friend Tammy to breast cancer. A cartographer by trade, Julie has a passion for the outdoors that she shared with Tammy. She chose the Breast Cancer Fund’s Climb Against the Odds expedition as the perfect tribute to her friend’s adventurous spirit. She hopes to pass some of Tammy’s inspiration on to others, and to raise awareness around breast cancer prevention.
		Kathi Salley Randall, 37 – Moreno Valley, Calif. Kathi Randall has watched many individuals in her professional and personal life find unimaginable strength to face cancer. During her 14 years as a neonatal nurse, she has watched several colleagues in her hospital unit struggle through breast cancer.  She has also supported two close friends as their mothers were diagnosed and treated. With a plausible link between certain chemicals and equipment and the high rates of cancer among nurses, Kathi will climb Mt. Shasta to raise awareness around these preventable causes of the disease and honor the women in her life, and her profession, who have bravely gone through breast cancer.
		Megan Shrestha, 27 – South Burlington, Vt. Breast cancer has deeply affected Megan, having lost her mom Katie to breast cancer when she was 17. Her death inspired Megan to study biology in college and then work in cancer research at the Vermont Cancer Center, enrolling women in clinical trials in hopes of slowing the progression of breast cancer.  On the 10th anniversary of her mother’s passing, Megan hopes to honor her memory and spirit by scaling Mt. Shasta with Climb Against the Odds. She also hopes to stay involved, connected and actively participating in efforts to identify and eliminate the causes of the disease.
		Tobi Stone, 32 – Seattle, Wash. Tobi Stone, a musician from Seattle, joined the Climb Against the Odds mountain expedition in support of her aunt and grandmother, both survivors of breast cancer, and others in her community affected by breast cancer. A first time climber, Tobi is motivated to support the Breast Cancer Fund because of the organization’s work to stop breast cancer before it starts.
		Cathy Ann Taylor, 45 – Sausalito, Calif.   A friend of the Breast Cancer Fund since 1997, Cathy Ann has been a team member and training leader on nine Climb Against the Odds expeditions, including Mt. McKinley (1998), Mt. Fuji (2000), Mt. Rainier (2005) and Mt. Shasta (2003, 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2008) and has raised over $300,000. Inspired by her grandmother and a close friend who experienced breast cancer, Cathy Ann uses her strength to honor theirs. After 19 years guiding with Mountain Travel Sobek, Cathy Ann started her own company, Cattara, in early 2008.  In addition to continuing to guide for MTS, she has brought an international dimension to the Breast Cancer Fund’s outdoor challenges by leading the inaugural Sacred Trek in Bhutan last November. She has been recognized by Outdoor magazine for her volunteer efforts and received the Andrea Ravinett Martin Strong Voices award at the Breast Cancer Fund’s annual Heroes Tribute in 2006.
		Susan Unger, 53 – Palm Springs, Calif. Susan Unger will train for and climb Mt. Shasta in honor of her mother, Grace, who died in 1994 of metastasized breast cancer. She sees the climb as a way to honor her mother’s memory by advancing an organization that’s dedicated to breast cancer prevention. Climbing alongside her partner, Pamela Erwin, Susan’s goal for Climb Against the Odds is to do her personal best – always keeping in mind that the journey is the reward.
		Jennifer Wilson, 45 – Delray Beach, Fla., survivor  In March 2008, Jennifer Wilson began her journey with breast cancer. Having participated in many events to honor friends and family members diagnosed with cancer, she never expected to become an honoree herself. As a young survivor with no family history of breast cancer, Jennifer feels empowered to help others learn more about this disease, and especially to educate them on its environmental and other preventable causes. She sees Climb Against the Odds as a way to challenge herself, especially alongside other survivors, and to have this journey symbolize the beginning of the rest of her life.
(Anne Wood, left, with daughter Lauren)		Anne Wood, 39 – Richmond, Calif.  In 2007, Anne Wood and her colleagues at Mountain Travel Sobek decided that they wanted to climb Mt. Shasta, inspired by their coworker and Climb Against the Odds trainer Cathy Ann Taylor. In exchange for being able to train with the 2007 climbers, they contributed to their fundraising efforts. Anne feels very fortunate to have never been diagnosed with cancer, but after counting 37 women in her life diagnosed with breast cancer, she’s been an advocate for eliminating the environmental links to the disease and reducing the risk for future generations, including for her 9-year-old daughter.  Training alongside the climbers in 2007 turned out to be one of the most rewarding experiences of her life, and she’s looking forward to sharing this experience, from beginning to end, with her 2009 teammates.