A Texas Holdem Tournament will be held on Saturday, March 30, at 5:30 pm at the Polish Hall in Hoosick Falls to benefit Kassidy Hitt, a senior at HFCS. Kassidy will be climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa, this summer in support of those who continue to struggle with cancer or who have fought their battle and won.
Kassidy will be climbing with Sean Swarner, “the CancerClimber.” Kassidy met Sean on a trip to NYC where he was a motivational speaker. She was so inspired by his incredible story that she wanted to get involved and support those with cancer by offering hope through inspiration. Sean’s motto and the title of his book is “Keep Climbing.” He explains that everyone struggles with obstacles in life, some much bigger than others…he states, “We all have our own mountains to climb”.
Sean, who was diagnosed with two separate and unrelated forms of cancer as a teenage, at one point, was given only 14 days to live. He astounded the medical community and survived. After defeating cancer twice, he realized that no challenge would ever be too great and no peak too high. So, with only one lung, he began climbing. He was the first cancer survivor to crest Mt. Everest. He has climbed all seven summits, completed the Ultimate Adventure Challenge and the Ford Ironman World Championship. He began the CancerClimber Association in 2001 to help people touched by cancer. The organization is focused on hope and giving people the tools needed to overcome cancer with the right attitude and to come out on the other side with a more positive outlook on life. Hope and inspiration are key to the association’s groundwork and foundation.
Sean’s goal for this trip is to inspire people to fundraise, not only for the trip, but to support his organization and the local people of Tanzania as well. He wants to make sure that Kassidy’s supporters understand the importance and legitimacy of her fundraising efforts. Sean states, “The deposit for the trip goes directly to support CancerClimber ($500) and to hold your spot. The rest of the $5,000 goes to support the local people in Tanzania who truly need the money… this trip supports a lot more than just people touched by cancer. The locals over there have no job, they have no income, and the funds we collect from everyone on the trip goes to help support their local economy, the local orphanage and even the local guides, porters, drivers, and people who need money more than we do, Also, we encourage and help people raise extra funds for CancerClimber. The money you raise also goes to give grants to cancer survivors, as well as funding and saving for a mobile camp for teens with cancer. Please know you’re making a difference in a LOT of peoples’ lives as well as developing a life-memory.”- Sean Swarner.
Please come out and support Kassidy’s trip. First donation is $35, with second plus donations, etc. $35 as well. Food and beverages will be available. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Pamm Powers at 518-810-2256 or Kassidy Hitt at (518) 242-0880. We would like to thank everyone who is donating to this cause…your support is truly appreciated!