Patrick McMahon
I have a very dear life-long friend who was diagnosed with breast cancer when it was considered a "death sentence.” She thrives to this day and is an inspiration! Being a part of the Rocky Mountain Challenge Team is not only an opportunity to raise funds to support women’s overall breast care services at the Liggett Breast Center at the VECC, but to personally welcome new and difficult challenges to test myself physically. I did a lot of hiking in the “foothills” of New York and flatland walking in the Midwest. I have been in training for a half marathon and plan to include several long hikes and stair training in preparation for the climb.
Amy Owczarek
I feel very blessed that so far in my life breast cancer has not affected someone who I am very close to. Looking at the odds though, I can't imagine that I will be so lucky throughout my entire lifetime. I have encountered many friends and, as a pharmacist, patients who have been affected by this disease and feel that I, too, can help in raising funds to support the advancement of treatment and search for a cure. To do my part, I have decided to challenge myself to climb a mountain. I have not had any previous experience with climbing but feel that this event gives me the opportunity to challenge myself and hopefully inspire others to donate to this worthy cause. I have just completed the Indianapolis mini-marathon and plan on continuing to work out about 4-5 times per week to keep myself in shape. I am so excited to go to Colorado and meet up with the rest of the team for this challenge and hope that our journey inspires others to help us in making this a successful event!
Francesco Lucarelli
On a fundraising level — I think this challenge pales in comparison to that of a patient fighting cancer or what his/her family has to endure, so I hope that this figurative challenge will inspire others to support this effort. I look forward to this becoming an annual “challenge” event and invite others to join in. The whole is always greater than the sum of its parts, so I’m excited to see how successful our team can be in raising money this year. From a selfish standpoint, it will allow me to keep going out and tackling new adventures.
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Alice Kopecky
A few years ago, I participated in LLS Team in Training; being able to train for an exciting adventure while raising money for a good cause was one of the most satisfying experiences of my life. Even though I have no previous mountaineering experience, I’m ready to take on the Rocky Mountain Challenge. I am currently training for a half marathon and will continue to build up leg and core muscles by finding some hilly terrains in southeastern Michigan and western Illinois. I will also increase the incline on my treadmill. If all else fails, there are always stairs at the local football stadium to run up.
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Lorraine Owczarek
I’ve climbed Mt. Vesuvius, Mt. St. Helena and participated in 5k, 10k and half marathons. On my bucket list, I was hoping to have the opportunity to take mountain climbing to the next level. The Rocky Mountain Challenge will help me do just that. At the same time, it also presents the opportunity to help fundraise and increase awareness for a very worthwhile cause, the Liggett Breast Center at the VECC. Both of my parents have been patients at the VECC at St. John Hospital and Medical Center, and the care they received was outstanding. I want to thank everyone who is supporting me on this climb and say that, “With any challenge in life, the road to get there is well worth the effort.”
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Dave Roberts
I am looking forward to climbing Pikes Peak in June. I have no past experience mountain climbing but have hiked on some local trails. I keep in shape by running three to four miles, 4-5 times a week. I have had some close friends die from breast cancer and hope that the funds I will raise will help others find hope in battling this terrible disease. I am a videographer and plan to take a mini video camera on the trip to capture this memorable experience.
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Jessica Isbrecht
Personally, my main goal is to increase my physical fitness while participating in an activity I love. Last year I injured my knee and underwent ACL reconstruction surgery. During my recovery, I realized how much I took for granted. For example, walking, running, even getting out of bed were impossible goals over the course of my recovery. This new perspective gave me empathy for all people living in pain. I am awed by the physical and mental strength it must take to fight breast cancer. Before my accident, I was young and healthy and had the mentality that “it could never happen to me.” When presented with the idea of joining this challenge, I realized that is how I think about breast cancer. I hope my participation in the Rocky Mountain Challenge will educate and inspire others to lend support toward researching this disease.
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John Castro
When I first heard about this challenge from my good friend and colleague Francesco, I immediately committed myself to this cause. I am not an experienced climber but am sure that I can make the commitment to properly prepare myself for this adventure. I have already been sending out emails to all of my friends and family in an effort to secure support from them. I’m also going to set up a cause page on my Face Book as a tool to raise as much money as I can.
Danielle Nappi
Like so many others, I have both family and friends that have been diagnosed with breast cancer. I have always supported research and survivor efforts in this area, and the climb is another way to help further the cause and hopefully help to make a positive change in the lives of women.
Too many close friends and family members have been diagnosed with breast cancer for me not to be affected. It has increased my self-awareness and attention to prevention and support for those affected. I have a great training partner with a lot of experience, so I should have no trouble with finding the motivation or time for training. With Francesco, there is no such thing as sitting still for too long. Together we have done rock climbing as well as hiking the Appalachian Trail, the Grand Canyon, the Rocky Mountains and most recently Mt. Washington. My goals for this climb are to join the other climbers at the summit and to help raise more than I was able to help with last ye
ar. I have always been a supporter but never a fund raiser, so this is a first time for me. I plan to reach out to friends, family, co-workers and their extended networks to generate support for the climb.
Paul Nappi
Members of my family have suffered from breast cancer, some have beaten it and some have not. Either way it changes you and those close to you forever. I have recently tried climbing and really enjoyed it. It’s a win win situation when you can do what you like and also help others. This is my first real fundraising effort, and my goal is to do the best that I can and I am hopeful that it will be a successful effort. I plan to reach out to friends, family, and co-workers for support and will be sure to include the fundraising link on my facebook and myspace pages. Other than hiking, I had not had any real climbing experience until this past March when I climbed Mt. Washington with Francesco. Nothing like cutting your gums on the mountain with the worst weather ever reported. It was a great experience and I am really looking forward to the Pike’s Peak Climb. I have been following a training plan that includes both cardio and weight training to prepare for the climb. I am confident that I will be ready come June 27th.
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