A climb to fight cancer
WHS grad to take on 10,781-foot peak to benefit cancer research
Kaitlin Hensal
WADSWORTH - A Wadsworth High School graduate is planning to take cancer awareness and fundraising to new heights - literally.
Kaitlin Hensal, a 2007 WHS graduate will be participating in a Climb to Fight Cancer fundraiser benefiting the Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center in Seattle. After months of training and fundraising, Hensal will climb Mount Baker, a 10,781 foot tall peak located in the Cascade mountain range in Washington State, at the end of July.
"I work at the Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center and I see on a daily basis the work we are doing and I really feel like we are making a difference," said Hensal, who has a master's degree in chemical biology from Indiana University. "I want to spread awareness and help with funding to continue the work we are doing because 100 percent of this is going toward cancer research."
Hensal said she loves the outdoors, but added this will be her first mountaineering experience.
"I have started training so I can be in the best physical shape as possible so I can enjoy the hike," she said. "This week we met and did a stair workout. We did the stairs in other ways such as sideways to work other muscles. I'm also trying to do a lot of cardio and on the weekends hiking while eventually adding a pack and then adding weight to that pack. I will have to be able to carry a 60-pound pack to base camp and then I will have to carry a pack up the summit, but it won't be as heavy."
Hensal said the event will take place July 28-30.
"Friday we will hike up to base camp and set up camp and then Saturday will be snow school, where we will learn some more techniques," she said. "We will go to bed early Saturday and wake up about midnight or 1 a.m. Sunday. The goal is to be at the top of the mountain at sunrise."
Hensal said she is mostly excited, but admits she is slightly nervous.
"I really want to make sure I have good training," she said. "There will be less oxygen so it is going to be harder. But I am very excited to meet new people and just to spread awareness about cancer research. We do some amazing things at the center and I think it is really important to spread the word and keep the momentum going."
Hensal said a lot of her family and friends still live in Wadsworth and added they are very supportive.
"I am very lucky to have all of their support," she said.
To donate to Hensal's efforts, log on to http://getinvolved.fhcrc.org/, click on Climb to Fight Cancer 2017 and search Hensal's name in the "Donate to a Climber" field.
Kaitlin Hensal, a 2007 WHS graduate will be participating in a Climb to Fight Cancer fundraiser benefiting the Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center in Seattle. After months of training and fundraising, Hensal will climb Mount Baker, a 10,781 foot tall peak located in the Cascade mountain range in Washington State, at the end of July.
"I work at the Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center and I see on a daily basis the work we are doing and I really feel like we are making a difference," said Hensal, who has a master's degree in chemical biology from Indiana University. "I want to spread awareness and help with funding to continue the work we are doing because 100 percent of this is going toward cancer research."
Hensal said she loves the outdoors, but added this will be her first mountaineering experience.
"I have started training so I can be in the best physical shape as possible so I can enjoy the hike," she said. "This week we met and did a stair workout. We did the stairs in other ways such as sideways to work other muscles. I'm also trying to do a lot of cardio and on the weekends hiking while eventually adding a pack and then adding weight to that pack. I will have to be able to carry a 60-pound pack to base camp and then I will have to carry a pack up the summit, but it won't be as heavy."
Hensal said the event will take place July 28-30.
"Friday we will hike up to base camp and set up camp and then Saturday will be snow school, where we will learn some more techniques," she said. "We will go to bed early Saturday and wake up about midnight or 1 a.m. Sunday. The goal is to be at the top of the mountain at sunrise."
Hensal said she is mostly excited, but admits she is slightly nervous.
"I really want to make sure I have good training," she said. "There will be less oxygen so it is going to be harder. But I am very excited to meet new people and just to spread awareness about cancer research. We do some amazing things at the center and I think it is really important to spread the word and keep the momentum going."
Hensal said a lot of her family and friends still live in Wadsworth and added they are very supportive.
"I am very lucky to have all of their support," she said.
To donate to Hensal's efforts, log on to http://getinvolved.fhcrc.org/, click on Climb to Fight Cancer 2017 and search Hensal's name in the "Donate to a Climber" field.