I am doing this climb for purely selfish reasons. 

Selfish reason #1: I want more new and radically better treatments and tools to battle cancer for me and those I love. The older I get, the more likely I am to be diagnosed with cancer - and to have those around me battle or succumb to it. I love the energy and creativity that younger researchers bring to their work and strongly believe that supporting high-risk/high-reward projects now will directly benefit me in the years to come.

Selfish reason #2: I am currently at a point professionally where I'm thinking about my next steps - and I love  the clarity I experience when I am in the woods hiking. I have the time right now to dedicate to the training and fundraising required to succeed and I might just develop some new high-risk/high-reward ideas of my own along the trail.

Selfish reason #3: I need to improve my fitness and there's nothing like a big goal to get me there. Knowing that the researchers at Damon Runyon and the rest of the Timmerman Traverse Team are depending on me to raise the money and train to summit Africa's highest peak is super motivating. 

So, why should you support me if I'm doing this for selfish reasons?

Because if you've read this far:

a) you care about supporting our best and brightest as they pursue dreams that could improve all of our lives, particularly when funding for research is more limited than ever

b) you know that I will feature my corporate sponsors here, on social media and in email updates to supporters and

c) you expect those regular updates to be down-to-earth, reflective and probably somewhat amusing

Let me know if you want to hike with me as I train if you are in the Boston area. I'd love the company. Onward!