14,411 Feet For Clean Air - Andrea's Quest To Conquer Mt. Rainier!
June 4, 2002
Dear Friends:
Every day we are consumed with our daily lives, families, and work. We take for granted the fresh air we breathe and our -ability- to do this subconscious task. If you are like most fortunate people, you breathe through your lungs about 2 gallons of air a minute. That is about 3,000 gallons of air, or 20,000 breaths a day.
But many people cannot do this task easily. Asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, lung cancer, or tuberculosis can make breathing a challenge.
To aid in conquering this challenge, I have accepted a challenge of my own. I am going to raise at least $3500 for the American Lung Association by June 14th, 2002. In July I will join other individuals who have also accepted this challenge with the American Lung Association's 14th Annual Climb For Clean Air®.
The Climb For Clean Air® is the attempted summit of the 14,411-foot Mt. Rainer. Mt. Rainer, the most difficult endurance climb in the lower 48 states and the grand highlight of Washington. The trek will be 2 days and is led by Rainer Mountaineering Inc. and honorary chairman and fellow climber, Lou Whittaker.
Approximately 100 people will attempt the challenge. Some will be unable to deal with the high altitude, while others may be unable to raise the minimum $3500 needed to aid the American Lung Association of Washington. Others may not be fully trained for the strenuous climb.
As long as I can remember, climbing Mt. Rainier has stood in my mind as only a dream. I can't believe the opportunity I have. Not only will I attempt a summit of this mountain, but I am given the opportunity to support an organization that I firmly believe in.
I have begun my training. Biking to work, running weightlifting and loading a pack up with 40 pounds of gear for weekend practice hikes will help me prepare for the challenge.
But (and I bet you saw this coming!) I need your help to fully realize my dream. I need to raise $3,500 by June 14th in order to be on the team. The great news is that your 100% tax-deductible donation will be going to an outstanding cause. Last year's climb raised over $380,000 for the American Lung Association. Here is what your assistance and the 2002 Climb For Clean Air® will help to support:
+Greater and more proactive attention to the fight against increasing air pollution. Due to smog, over the past 15 years, the beauty of Mt. Rainier's peak is being seen less and less (the number of visible days from Sea-Tac Airport has decreased from 60 to below 40 for the months April to October).
+Helping to prevent lung diseases such as asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, lung cancer, tuberculosis and cystic fibrosis. These various forms of lung disease accounted for 32% of infant deaths, making it the number one killer of babies under the age of one.
+Helping to reduce tobacco use, especially among young people, which is responsible for 419,000 deaths in the US each year. Asthma is the number one cause of school absences in the U.S. attributed to chronic conditions, leading to an estimated 10 million school days lost annually.
Asthma is also the second leading cause of hospitalization for children ages 5-9.
I realize that no one has a money tree in their backyard. However every dollar (if it is even a dollar you donate!) is valuable when raising funds for such a worthy organization!
Thank you in advance for all of your support and generosity. Regardless of my excitement to embark on this adventure, I realize that I could not do this without all of your help and any contribution whatsoever is greatly appreciated.
I KNOW I CAN DO IT.
BELIEVE.
PLEASE SPONSOR ME.
Dear Friends:
Every day we are consumed with our daily lives, families, and work. We take for granted the fresh air we breathe and our -ability- to do this subconscious task. If you are like most fortunate people, you breathe through your lungs about 2 gallons of air a minute. That is about 3,000 gallons of air, or 20,000 breaths a day.
But many people cannot do this task easily. Asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, lung cancer, or tuberculosis can make breathing a challenge.
To aid in conquering this challenge, I have accepted a challenge of my own. I am going to raise at least $3500 for the American Lung Association by June 14th, 2002. In July I will join other individuals who have also accepted this challenge with the American Lung Association's 14th Annual Climb For Clean Air®.
The Climb For Clean Air® is the attempted summit of the 14,411-foot Mt. Rainer. Mt. Rainer, the most difficult endurance climb in the lower 48 states and the grand highlight of Washington. The trek will be 2 days and is led by Rainer Mountaineering Inc. and honorary chairman and fellow climber, Lou Whittaker.
Approximately 100 people will attempt the challenge. Some will be unable to deal with the high altitude, while others may be unable to raise the minimum $3500 needed to aid the American Lung Association of Washington. Others may not be fully trained for the strenuous climb.
As long as I can remember, climbing Mt. Rainier has stood in my mind as only a dream. I can't believe the opportunity I have. Not only will I attempt a summit of this mountain, but I am given the opportunity to support an organization that I firmly believe in.
I have begun my training. Biking to work, running weightlifting and loading a pack up with 40 pounds of gear for weekend practice hikes will help me prepare for the challenge.
But (and I bet you saw this coming!) I need your help to fully realize my dream. I need to raise $3,500 by June 14th in order to be on the team. The great news is that your 100% tax-deductible donation will be going to an outstanding cause. Last year's climb raised over $380,000 for the American Lung Association. Here is what your assistance and the 2002 Climb For Clean Air® will help to support:
+Greater and more proactive attention to the fight against increasing air pollution. Due to smog, over the past 15 years, the beauty of Mt. Rainier's peak is being seen less and less (the number of visible days from Sea-Tac Airport has decreased from 60 to below 40 for the months April to October).
+Helping to prevent lung diseases such as asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, lung cancer, tuberculosis and cystic fibrosis. These various forms of lung disease accounted for 32% of infant deaths, making it the number one killer of babies under the age of one.
+Helping to reduce tobacco use, especially among young people, which is responsible for 419,000 deaths in the US each year. Asthma is the number one cause of school absences in the U.S. attributed to chronic conditions, leading to an estimated 10 million school days lost annually.
Asthma is also the second leading cause of hospitalization for children ages 5-9.
I realize that no one has a money tree in their backyard. However every dollar (if it is even a dollar you donate!) is valuable when raising funds for such a worthy organization!
Thank you in advance for all of your support and generosity. Regardless of my excitement to embark on this adventure, I realize that I could not do this without all of your help and any contribution whatsoever is greatly appreciated.
I KNOW I CAN DO IT.
BELIEVE.
PLEASE SPONSOR ME.