Why are you so passionate about SADS?

My father had Wolff-Parkinson-White, and would go into atrial fibrillation, faint, and do all sorts of bad things like that. His cardiologist told him he may die of a sudden arrhythmic death. He had an ablation fairly early in the days of catheter ablation and was cured. I thought, "well if I can do this for kids what Dr. Sonny Jackman did for my dad, that would really be something!"

As a pediatric heart rhythm specialist, I have seen children survive a sudden cardiac arrest, but in order for that to occur, everything must fall into place, beginning with the first responder, all the way to the heart rhythm specialist, and beyond to provide support for the surviving patient and/or family. The SADS Foundation is an organization that has worked, and will continue to work toward that common goal: to support research on the SADS conditions, to suuport the patients and their families, and to build a national infrastructure that includes CPR training of all parents, teachers and coaches, widespread deployment of AED's, with markedly improved public awareness.

 

Climb to Conquer SADS 2008

For those of you who may not have heard, after summitting Mt. Rainier in stylish fashion last year with my teammates, I was injured climbing back down by rock fall. Thanks to the strength, skill, and expertise of my teammates, as well as many others on and off the mountain that day, I survived. I am now working as hard as ever back in Spokane to take care of the kids here, and to make this year's climb more successful than ever!

Now, with an even better understanding of what it means to survive after such a trauma, I can truly tell you how important this event is to me!

Climb to Conquer SADS 2009 

This year's climb will be a very special one. For me, I am putting up my crampons and ice axe, and will not be on the mountain, but will be continuing to provide medical directorship for the climb. I will be there with the team in spirit!  However, we are hoping to have climbers who are personally afflicted by SADS conditions join on the climbing team! We are fortunate to bring back the leadership of Rich Bennett, and several of the other past climbers, as well as some new ones to carry the torch. Please consider any donation to sponsor me as a donation to help the other climbers reach their fundraising goals.  

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. Please dig deep and donate to the team online. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to donate! Many thanks for your support. CLIMB ON!!