Our Goal:
To raise $1,000,000 for
research and public education
about prostate cancer.
research and public education
about prostate cancer.
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| Our Goal: To raise $1,000,000 for research and public education about prostate cancer. | |
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John Loesing, Project Director Dr. Terry Weyman, Founder |
PROSTATE CANCER CLIMB
Watertown man climbs mountain to focus on prostate cancer WATERTOWN, S.D. - A man who survived prostate cancer has climbed one of the most spectacular mountains on the planet to draw attention to the disease. Bruce Hestad and his friend, Joel Higgins, both of Watertown, recently climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa and raised $15,000 for cancer research. "It was just a truly wonderful experience," said Hestad, 56. "Each day we would gain elevation of 2,000 to 5,000 feet," Hestad said, adding that it took them five days to reach the summit - 19,348 feet above sea level. It wasn't a tough climb, but the altitude made it difficult, Hestad said. "You go very slow, very deliberate," Hestad said. "You're taking deep breaths continually, because of the lack of oxygen up there." He said the view was breathtaking. "We were watching the sun coming up out of the clouds, versus normally we stand down here and we see it below the clouds," Hestad said. The climb was the dream of a lifetime, Higgins said. "Hopefully, we've inspired people with cancer, prostate cancer particularly, saying, 'Hey, this is survivable, I can be a veteran. I can get through my cancer and live a life I want to live and it doesn't have to rule me," he said. Hestad, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2000, said the climb has shown him that people can reach their goals if they persist and believe. "In our normal day to day lives, we're climbing summits all the time," Hestad said, "and so you just go for them, you go for it, you don't quit." Hestad is still getting treatments and hopes to join the climbing group's next expedition in two years to Mount Elbrus in Europe. On the Net: www.prostatecancerclimb.org
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