The HERA Women’s Cancer Foundation, a nationally recognized ovarian cancer nonprofit, will lead dozens of rock climbers and hikers through the trails and crags of the Potomac River for the 9th Annual Climb4Life Metro DC starting at 8 a.m. on July 19, in Carderock, Md. and Great Falls, Va.
Climb4Life brings together beginner and expert climbers and hikers, ovarian cancer survivors, their families and supporters, and anyone else looking for an outdoor adventure to rock climb, hike and raise funds for ovarian cancer research and awareness. To register, visit herafoundation.org.
“Climb4Life began in 2001 while our founder Sean Patrick recovered from her seventh ovarian cancer surgery,” said Meg Steitz, executive director for HERA. “An avid outdoors woman, she wanted to use her passion for the outdoors to help resolve the lack of awareness, information, and funding for ovarian cancer. Thirteen years later, we are still working to accomplish her dream and there is no better place to see her vision in action than Climb4Life DC. This is our ninth year in Washington, D.C. and the event and enthusiasm to fight ovarian cancer continue to grow!”
Since 2002, HERA has raised and awarded more than $875,000 for research grants for the early detection, prevention and treatment of ovarian cancer to scientists at well-respected medical institutions including Johns Hopkins University, MD Anderson Cancer Center and the University of Colorado, among others. HERA has also awarded nearly $50,000 to nonprofit organizations leading ovarian cancer awareness programs across the country. HERA’s Climb4Life series is the primary fundraiser for its research and community grants, and is fundamental in helping the organization accomplish its mission to stop the loss of women from ovarian cancer by promoting Health, Empowerment, Research, and Awareness.
Every Climb4LifeSM registration includes climbing or hiking in either Carderock, Md., or Great Falls, Va. with professional guides and athletes at various levels of difficulty, climbing gear, yoga and continental breakfast, entrance to the HERA Celebration Dinner at the Carderock Pavilion, a HERA goodie bag and t-shirt and much more. Registration is open through July 16 for $50. All participants are encouraged to raise a minimum of $250 to support HERA’s mission.
Of the funds raised through Climb4LifeSM and other initiatives, 88 percent provides for HERA’s programs such as its scientific research and community grants, as well as other education and awareness initiatives for ovarian cancer. HERA is sponsored by leaders in the outdoor industry including REI, Petzl, Women’s Adventure Magazine, Arc’Teryx, Marmot, and Stonewear Designs, among others. Established in 2002, the HERA Women’s Cancer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to stop the loss of women from ovarian cancer by promoting Health, Empowerment, Research, and Awareness.
As a nationally recognized ovarian cancer organization, HERA provides funding for cutting-edge research grants to scientists at respected medical institutions. In so doing, HERA attracts more young researchers to expand the scientific understanding of ovarian cancer while improving the lives of those battling the disease. In addition, HERA awards grants to local community groups to raise awareness about the disease in novel and unusual ways. 
