Kilimanjaro 2012: Climb2Cure Prostate Cancer

Elephants roaming at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro

I need your help.

Scientists at the front lines of prostate cancer research are on the verge of exciting breakthroughs — in better and more reliable diagnostic tests, better treatments without the risks to continence and sexual function, and the Holy Grail itself, a cure.

But researchers need support — more $$$ to get to their goals.

In September 2012, I'm climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa with friends and family members to help raise funds for the Prostate Cancer Foundation and the extraordinary projects they're working on.

Since being diagnosed in March 2008, I've blogged about my experience with PC and written a book, The Prostate Storm, with half of its proceeds going to the PC research. This climb is another opportunity to give back ... and have a little adventure at the same time.

If you'd like to donate to a great cause, please visit my website at Kilimanjaro 2012: Climb2Cure Prostate Cancer.

Kili: One of the world's "seven summits"

On the climb itself....

We've put together a team of six who will be climbing the Lemosho Route up the 19,340-foot Kilimanjaro over eight days.  On the sixth day, after hiking through rainforest, arid scrubs and rock fields, we will reach a final base camp at 15,500 feet.  That night, beginning at midnight, we make a final ascent for six hours under a full moon, to summit at dawn.  I'll be taking photographs and eventually post here about the journey.

Thanks for your support of prostate cancer research through our Kili climb.

--Steve

Rocker Ronnie Montrose dies of prostate cancer

Add hard-chugging rock guitarist Ronnie Montrose to the list of legendary rockers who died of prostate cancer, at age 64. 

Besides forming his own band in 1973, Montrose performed with a number of rockers, including Herbie Hancock, Van Morrison, Boz Scaggs and the Edgar Winter Group. Montrose’s band by the same name was the launching pad for singer Sammy Hagar in the 1970s. 

"Ronnie was the most fiery, intense guitar player of everybody," Hagar said, in an article in the Los Angeles Times. "There was Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck and Clapton, those were the guys, but none had Ronnie's fire. He played at 100 (percent), he was just on fire _ he jumped around, just was a really high-energy performer. I learned all that from him, and everything I do today _ no ego involved _ it came from him, from seeing him perform that first time with Edgar Winter and then standing next to him within a week and rehearsing. I was always a high-energy guy, but I wasn't that way (onstage) until I got in Montrose." (Los Angeles Time, 2012)