HERA Women's Cancer Foundation Opens Registration for 11th Annual Climb4Life Utah

Online, May 1, 2012 (Newswire.com) - The HERA Women's Cancer Foundation, a nationally recognized ovarian cancer nonprofit, is accepting registrations for its longest running fundraising event, the 11th Annual Climb4Life Utah, hosted by Black Diamond. The weekend event, taking place Sept. 14-16 in the Wasatch Mountains near Salt Lake City, features rock climbing, hiking, photography and other activities for empowering women and their families while raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer. HERA invites women, men and children of all ages, abilities and skill levels to register online at: www.herafoundation.org/c4l-utah-2012/.

Climb4Life Utah participants will climb and hike throughout the weekend with professional guides from Utah Mountain Adventures and SPLORE. Groups are broken up by ability, ensuring that all participants stay challenged and sharpen their skills. Climb4Life also offers special activities for families with children, including a half-day climb and indoor climbing. Brand new this year, Climb4Life will offer a photography track for participants interested in perfecting their photography skills alongside professional photographers, videographers and trainers.

The Climb4Life series was conceived in 2001 while HERA Founder Sean Patrick was recovering from her seventh ovarian cancer surgery. What started as a single event in Salt Lake City has grown into a multi-city program attracting hundreds of participants and numerous partners. The Climb4Life series is fundamental in helping HERA accomplish its mission to stop the loss of women from ovarian cancer by promoting Health, Empowerment, Research, and Awareness.

"Sean believed that the skills women learn in climbing - problem solving, risk taking and self-confidence - enable them to climb all the mountains in their lives, including those related to their health," said Meg Steitz, executive director for the HERA Foundation. "She founded HERA and the Climb4Life series in this spirit, and we're proud to carry on her legacy with the 11th climb in Salt Lake City, our longest running fundraising event. We invite cancer survivors, their cheerleaders and champions, and anyone else interested in supporting this amazing and worthwhile cause to join us."

Through its 2012 Climb4Life series, HERA aims to raise more than $100,000 for ovarian cancer research and awareness initiatives. The organization commits 88 percent of the funds raised for scientific research and community grants, as well as education and awareness initiatives for ovarian cancer.

The 2012 HERA Climb4LifeSM series includes:
April 28-29 - Inaugural Climb4Life Boston - Boston, MA
June 22-23 - 6th Annual Climb4Life Colorado - Boulder, CO
July 14-15 - 7th Annual Climb4Life DC - Washington, DC
September 14-16 - 11th Annual Climb4Life Utah - Salt Lake City, UT

Early registration for Climb4Life Utah is open through August 17 for $60 and increases to $75 thereafter. All registrations include a commemorative event shirt, goodie bags, entrance to Friday and Saturday night parties, Sunday afternoon happy hour, and two days of climbing, hiking, or photography classes. For more information, visit www.herafoundation.org.

About the HERA Foundation:
Established in 2002, the HERA Women's Cancer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to stop the loss of women from ovarian cancer by promoting Health, Empowerment, Research, and Awareness. As a nationally recognized ovarian cancer organization, HERA provides funding for cutting-edge research grants to scientists at respected medical institutions. In so doing, HERA attracts more young researchers to expand the scientific understanding of ovarian cancer while improving the lives of those battling the disease. In addition, HERA awards grants to local community groups to raise awareness about the disease in novel and unusual ways. More information is available at www.herafoundation.org.