Our Goal:
To raise $1,000,000 for
research and public education
about prostate cancer.
research and public education
about prostate cancer.
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| Our Goal: To raise $1,000,000 for research and public education about prostate cancer. | |
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John Loesing, Project Director Dr. Terry Weyman, Founder |
PROSTATE CANCER CLIMB
Conquering cancer Hap Weyman had always been the mountain in his son Terry's life. So scaling mountains seemed like an appropriate way to honor Hap, who died of prostate cancer in 1990. Terry, a sports chiropractor in Westlake Village, organized the first Hap Weyman Memorial Prostate Cancer Climb in 2001. A team of 14 climbers reached the summit of Mount Aconcagua, Argentina, and raised $250,000 for prostate cancer awareness and education. Now Terry and the nonprofit Prostate Cancer Research Institute are working on a second high-altitude climb to tackle Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania in September. "When you stand at the base of a 23,000-foot mountain, it's probably the same feeling you have when you're diagnosed with cancer,' Terry said. "You either stay in your tent or climb for the summit.' In 2002, an estimated 30,200 men died of prostate cancer in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. Only lung cancer accounts for more cancer-related deaths among men. Glenn Weaver, executive director of the Los Angeles-based Prostate Cancer Research Institute, said many people aren't aware of the parallels between prostate cancer and breast cancer. "If you have a family member who had breast cancer, it puts you at high risk for prostate cancer and vice versa,' he said. "Prostate cancer needs as much effort put into it as breast cancer.' Hap, who died at age 65, worked as a production manager in the movie industry. Initially, he was diagnosed with lower back pain and arthritis, Terry said. Today, the American Cancer Society recommends men undergo screening for prostate cancer starting at age 50. Men at high risk, including those with a family history and African-Americans, are encouraged to begin testing at age 45. Terry won't be among the climbers for the Kilimanjaro trip. But he plans to remain a driving force behind the event. "We're not just raising money but awareness,' Terry said. "Men don't want to deal with health problems until it happens. They're afraid of the exams and tests. As a society, we need to talk about our bodies and be aware of the risk factors.' For more information, visit www.prostatecancerclimb.com
or www.pcri.org. The
PCRI will offer free screenings Sept. 5-6 at the Hilton Burbank Airport
and Convention Center.
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