Scaling new heights for cancer patients

A team of 11 climbers including a Saudi woman is to tackle two Himalayan climbs for charity. The team, which includes the Kingdom’s Reem Shaath, hope to raise $202,000 to fund the treatment of two underprivileged pediatric cancer patients currently being trained at the King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman. The children, 10-year-old Iraqi Huda and four-year-old Palestinian Ahmed, are suffering from cancer. After meeting the children they aim to help, founder of “Climb for Cancer” and organizer of the climb Nizar Fakhoury said: “It always helps put things into perspective when you meet the children you're climbing for. They are the essence behind our challenges and they are our driving force every step of the way.” On Nov. 4 a team of 12 climbers will depart for Nepal to embark on two challenges. The first, tackled by seven of the climbers which includes Princess Noor Asem of Jordan and Shaath, will be the 5,540 meter high Everest Base Camp. The remaining five will take on the more technical ascent to Island Peak at 6,189m. The team is made up of people from a variety of professional backgrounds from Lebanon, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Sri Lanka, and the United Kingdom. The challenge will last for 14 days and will be a test of the team's physical and emotional capabilities. In September 2010, a team of six organized by Climb for Cancer topped Africa's highest peak Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895 meters). In the process the team was able to raise $129,000 to treat two pediatric cancer patients at the King Hussein Cancer Center. Shaath reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in February 2011, the first Saudi woman to do so. With the experience of that climb behind her, Shaath, who said at the time she would never climb again, was overridden by her commitment to the charity that she became part of the Himalayas expedition. She will be keeping a diary of their progress to be published in Arab News on her return toward the end of November. “Sometimes, all you need is to look at things with a different eye, and everything you worry about seems minuscule compared to what these children have to go through,” said Shaath, reflecting on the reasons that motivated her to join the climb. Candidates to join the expedition were selected partly on the basis of their experience and fitness but a large element was the reasons behind their decisions and their commitments to the cause. The climbers fund their own trips and are responsible for covering all their personal costs themselves including tickets, equipment, and hiking expenses, ensuring that all money donated goes toward the treatment of the cancer patients who the climbers are supporting. “We are extremely excited about this new challenge and have set up a website to raise awareness and funds through corporate sponsors, colleagues, friends, family and anyone who wishes to contribute to the treatment of these children,” Fakhoury said. “The families of these patients are unable to support the costs of the cancer treatment their children require and they rely on volunteers like us to step in and help make a difference in the lives of their children.” “Climb for Cancer” is a non-profit charitable initiative that encourages hikers and adventure enthusiasts to climb mountain peaks around the world in an effort to raise money for children suffering from cancer. It was founded by Nizar Fakhoury in 2009 and driven by two passions in life, climbing and helping children with cancer.