On Saturday, April 28th, climbers from across the country will spend the day at indoor climbing gyms to raise funds for First Descents, a non-profit organization that offers young adults with cancer a free outdoor adventure experience designed to empower them to climb, paddle and surf beyond their diagnosis and defy their cancer. The Salt Lake City event will happen at Rockreation.
First Descents is teaming up with REVO for this Climbing for Cancer fundraising event. Rock climbers will have the opportunity to go indoor climbing at 17 different cities across the U.S. to raise awareness of the 70,000 young adults diagnosed with cancer each year. As such, First Descents has set the goal of climbing 70,000 vertical feet. Participants are encouraged to get together with their friends and climbing partners, create a team, and raise funds for young adults fighting and surviving cancer. To join a team and the climbing fun on April 28th, a minimum $25 donation is required.
REVO, a performance eyewear company, has stepped forward as a 2012 First Descents partner, as well as the Presenting Sponsor of this year’s Climbing for Cancer event. According to REVO Brand Director, Julie Schaffner, this Climbing for Cancer event aligns with their core mission. “The Climbing for Cancer Event is the culmination of our two groups’ values working together for a larger cause – to help raise funds that will enable First Descents to offer additional adventure camp programs in the future.”
“What a phenomenal way to kick off our partnership with REVO! Without their support there’s no way we could be hosting 17 separate climbing events simultaneously across the country,” says Lisa Goldstein, First Descents’ Director of Development. “We’ve set a major climbing goal that will surely test limits and push everyone to reach new heights. I can’t wait to see what we accomplish this year.”
In addition to the event happening at Rockreation in Salt Lake City, here is a list of the other locations where climbers just like you will be pulling holds and fighting cancer:
Boulder Rock Club, Boulder, CO 12 pm – 4 pm
Rockreation, Los Angeles, CA 10 am – 2 pm
Rockreation, Salt Lake City, UT 9 am – 12 pm
Rock ‘n & Jam’n, Denver, CO 12 pm – 4 pm
Earth Treks, Columbia, MD Time TBD
Rock Spot Climbing, Boston, MA 9 am – 12 pm
Rock Spot Climbing, Lincoln, RI 9 am – 12 pm
Dallas Rocks, Dallas, TX 10 am – 2 pm
Brooklyn Boulders, Brooklyn, NY, Time TBD
River Sports, Knoxville, TN 9 am – 1 pm
Triangle Rock Club, Raleigh, NC 9 am – 12 pm
Planet Granite, San Francisco, CA 10 am – 2 pm
Vertical Endeavors, Warrensville, IL 11 am – 2 pm
Vertical Endeavors, Minneapolis, MN 12:30-3:30
Go Vertical, Philadelphia, PA 11 am – 2pm
The Portland Rock Gym, Portland, OR, Time TBD
Climb Time Indy, Indianapolis, IN 9 am – 12 pm
To join a team and/or donate to a climber, head over to the First Descents Climbing for Cancer page.
For more information about First Descents and their mission, visit www.FirstDescents.org