Climb for Life seeks pre-holiday donations

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Most rock climbers enjoy the sport for the fun. Now they can climb for a good cause as well.

Those interested in the fourth annual Climb for Life, an upcoming ovarian cancer fundraiser event, are being urged to collect donations now, before the blur of the holiday season hits.

At the Climb for Life, participants can take the Red Rock challenge and see how many "feet" they can accumulate.

The Climb for Life event will take place Feb. 25 and 26 at Red Rock Climbing Center, 8201 W. Charleston Blvd. The funds raised will benefit both the Health, Empowerment, Research and Advocacy (HERA) Women's Cancer Foundation and the Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Nevada (OCAN) (www.ocan.org.)

"It's a lot of fun and you don't have to be experienced at rock climbing," said Stephanie Forte, one of the organizers of the event.

The first year it was held, 2002, Climb for Life raised $3,000. Last year's event raised $10,000.

The event is powered by the efforts of two climbers, both dedicated to stomping out ovarian cancer. Sean Patrick is a professional rock climber. Stephanie Forte is a former professional rock climber, now living in Las Vegas.

Forte first met Patrick at a climbing event in the early 1990s, back when she lived in Aspen, Colo. Patrick was already a pro in the sport and visiting the ski resort town. Forte was just starting to climb back then, but it was a hobby at which she excelled.

She soon turned pro, entering the sport when there were only about 10 women involved in it.

Both women were supported by corporate sponsorships and criss-crossed the country to appear at various events.

The challenges of Red Rock -- as well as it being a place to call home -- appealed to Forte and she moved to Las Vegas in 1998.

"When you're living out of the back of a pickup truck, it's not the most comfortable life," she said.

It was in Las Vegas that Forte first learned about Crispin Morrison, who died from ovarian cancer. Before passing away, Morrison formed the nonprofit OCAN, a support group for others facing the disease. Forte was struck by the fact that Morrison "was not much older than me."

When their sponsors got involved, Forte and Patrick hooked up and used their contacts to secure sponsorship for the HERA event. They've been part of coordinating Climb for Life ever since.

Personal fundraising is optional for the event but those who raise at least $250 get to enter the climbing gear raffle -- worth thousands of dollars -- as well as earning a shot at prizes from local businesses like free massages, dinners and show tickets.

"For a little bit of effort, you're well rewarded," Forte said. "When folks begin their fundraising efforts early they are able to be more successful and we can raise more funds to underwrite programs for OCAN."

For more information, visit www.climb4life.org.