Dear Family and Friends,

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page!  We have a team of 12 Mountaineers who will climb Mount Rainier on July 10-12th, 2009 in support of our efforts to raise $100,000 for the SADS Foundation as part of the "Climb to Conquer SADS".

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 at the age of 21.   Jesse 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 at that time 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.  Education is the answer.

The SADS Foundation has been dedicated to research, testing, treatment and family support since 1992.  SADS founders collaborated with scientific researchers who identified the gene that causes Long QT Syndrome in 1993.   

The SADS Foundation has taken on a huge task of educating the medical community and bringing education and awareness materials to schools, teachers, nurses, coaches and the general public.  Funds raised through the Climb to Conquer SADS will:

• Provide Family Support to assist patients and their families in making informed medical decisions and living with the challenges of these conditions
• Increase General Awareness of Warning Signs to recognize and prevent heart rhythm abnormalities
• Educate Health Care Professionals in early diagnosis and treatment of heart rhythm abnormalities
• Be Advocates to increase arrhythmia research and improve the quality of life for patients and their families

This year, our family has teamed up with Brian Hoots, avid mountain climber and friend of SADS who will carry a flag with the name "Jesse Aaron Smith" to the top of Mount Rainier.   To help, please support us in sponsoring Brian as he climbs Mount Rainier on July 10-12th.  

Thank you for your support!  Saving lives is what keeps us going and brings honor to Jesse!

Nancy Adams www.sads.org