Update: Climbing for Cancer Research

Megan Sturdy first wrote me about a year ago. She had two distinct and seemingly incongruent passions – climbing and curing cancer. In Sturdy’s mind, there was no reason that her dual passions had to conflict. I invited her to participate in 2009’s Year of Big Ideas.

A PhD student in Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Illinois in Chicago, Sturdy has figured out how to harness the energy of our community to further her lab’s research into Cyanobacteria’s potential role in curing cancer. Sturdy created a system for climbers to help collect water samples from high alpine lakes in order to test chemically unique strains of Cyanobacteria. Now, she has targeted the remote and isolated island of Samoa and its alpine lakes for her next collecting trip. The trip will require grants, a little dirtbag ingenuity and a good-old-fashioned climber’s gathering.

On Saturday June 6th, Sturdy, with the help of Muir Valley owners the Webers (Rick Weber is in the midst of his own struggle with cancer), will hold a climbing scavenger hunt and fundraiser. Teams of two will start climbing. At the top of each route, competitors will find clues that will lead them towards their next route.  “I want to throw the angst, fear and competition dread out the window,” Sturdy wrote. “This is about climbing camaraderie.”

There will be prizes, BBQ and events to keep the little ones busy. So if the Red River Gorge is in your neck of the woods, check it out. It’s events like these that make our community so special.  The dirtbag you’re tied to might be curing cancer when she’s not cragging.

When: Saturday, June 6th
What: A scavenger hunt to raise money for cancer research.
Suggested Donation: $20

For more information, links and directions to the event visit Climbing for Cancer Research.