Don’t you want to work out for a higher purpose? Here’s your big chance! For all those of you who are local to the Bay Area, our own Shari has this message.
On Saturday November 1, 2008 from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m., Berkeley Ironworks Climbing and Fitness Center, Berkeley’s only indoor rock climbing gym, is hosting a fundraising benefit to help Rowan Jimenez raise funds for a lung transplant. Rowan Jimenez, a parent, rock climber, and musician was diagnosed with a rare disease called scleroderma about six years ago. About 300,000 people in the United States are living with this disease in various forms of severity, and unfortunately, Rowan’s from of the disease is an aggressive form. It attacked his lungs and progressed to the point that he only had about 10% lung capacity, compared to a healthy person. On September 15th, he received bilateral lung transplant surgery that saved his life.
Friends, co-workers, and the Bay Area climbing community are coming together to help Rowan raise the over $300K he needs to cover the expenses his health insurance does not cover. One of a series of benefits that are being organized is this bouldering competition at the Berkeley Ironworks Climbing Gym in Berkeley, CA. The competition will bring together the outdoor community at large to celebrate Rowan’s life and raise money. There will be a video presentation, food, drinks, acro yoga workshop, and a live DJ during the event.
The entry fee is on a sliding scale from $25 to $100 so that people can contribute an amount that is comfortable for them and all the money raised goes to a fund that has been set up for Rowan’s transplant through an organization called the National Transplant Assistance Fund. NTAF is a nonprofit organization that has been assisting the transplant community for over twenty years. All contributions are administered by NTAF exclusively for uninsured transplant-related expenses.
Come early to register to compete.
For more information about Rowan, check out his blog here. Hope to see lots of familiar faces there!
Thanks for posting this. Rowan’s a dear friend and his daughter Kaya is one of Etta’s best buddies. The thought of life without him was too much to bear.
The event is going to be really fun and you don’t have to be a climber to attend. Unlike most of these competitions, we’re having real (delicious) food, not pizza. And there is a penny auction with great items donated by companies like Mountain Hardware (think, sleeping bags, tents) where Rowan works.
Come on out folks and enjoy the party!
Shari
October 31st, 2008