Action
January/February 2008

Dare to Dream 2008

Dare to Dream is not just about climbing the tenth-highest mountain in the world or re-creating the journey of Arlene Blum, the first woman to summit Annapurna in 1970.

Led by Everest summiter Tonya Riggs and partnered with the HERA Foundation, an organization dedicated to finding a cure for ovarian cancer, a group of four mountaineers will climb Nepal’s 26,545-foot Annapurna in September to raise awareness for one of the most deadly cancers affecting women today.

“One out of every 69 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and there’s no cure yet,” says Tonya. “I’m doing this to raise awareness for all mothers, sisters, and loved ones out there whose lives have been touched by this illness.”

There is an opportunity for 10 people to trek to base camp with the team. The cost is $3,000, and each participant must raise an additional $3,000 that goes directly to HERA.

Go to www.daretodream2008.com for more details on the expedition and how to join. You can also go to www.herafoundation.org to make donations and purchase merchandise, such as climbing ropes, necklaces, carabiners, and totes, to help raise funds to aid scientists in their quest to find a cure for this dangerous disease.

—Christy Mercer