Dear Family and Friends,

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page! 

The 4th Annual "Climb to Conquer SADS" Event is taking place on Mount Rainier, Washington on July 8-10, 2010.   This year, our family has teamed up with Mark Russell, avid mountain climber and friend of SADS who will depart base camp on Thursday July 8th and hopefully summit Mt Rainier on Friday.  The "Climb to Conquer" is an effort to raise $100,000 to help save the lives of young people who are predisposed to cardiac arrhythmia conditions.  

As most of you know, our family will never be the same after losing our precious son, brother and friend Jesse on May 21, 2003.  Jesse (on the right in the photo), died of sudden cardiac arrest that they think was a rare form of Long QT Syndrome which messes with the electrical system of the heart.   Jesse was evaluated by a cardiologist, who did not believe the arrhythmia was life threatening and approved Jesse to participate in high school track & field events.   As we have now learned, SADS conditions are very serious, sometimes fatal, and can be treated with medication or surgical procedures.  And so.... because of Jesse, and in an effort to save the lives of young people, we support this great organization and these brave climbers. 

The SADS Foundation has been dedicated to research, testing, treatment and family support since 1992.    Funds raised through "Climb to Conquer will:

• Educate Health Care Professionals and the lay public to promote early diagnosis and treatment
• Serve as a physician referral resource and provide information to physicians who care for patients with cardiac arrhythmias
• Provide family support services by providing educational materials, family support groups and networking programs
• Inform families, physicians and communities about genetic cardiac arrhythmias in the young and prevent sudden cardiac death in young people
• Encourage research on genetic cardiovascular diseases predisposing the young to sudden death

As you can see, this Foundation is doing great things and saving lives. Each time a life is saved by the efforts of everyone affiliated with the SADS Foundation, it brings honor to Jesse.   

THANKS, and once again, I will send photos of the Climb Event.  Last year, we had our own little miracle, where the climbers were in white out conditions.  They climbed to a safer elevation, and Jesse's name was read.  Just after that, the clouds parted and the sun shone through.   Please keep the Climbers in your thoughts and prayers, that they ascend to the 14,411 ft Summit on Thursday & Friday and descend safely again on Saturday.   

Nancy and family   www.sads.org