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The
doctors gave me less than 3 months to live. A
year and a half of intense chemotherapy, I was put
into remission. A few months later, on a
routine check-up, the Dr. found a golf ball-sized
tumor on my right lung. It was Askin's Disease
(a very rare cancer affecting about 3 out of a
million people I think... lucky me huh??) and this
time I was given less than 2 WEEKS to live.
Apparently I'm the only person in the world to have
ever had these two cancers and the prognosis was so
unknown, they didn't give me much hope at all.
Another round of chemotherapy and radiation, so
intense I was semi-conscious most of the time!
Spent SUCH a long time in the hospital learning to
breathe again and poking fun at the nurses and
playing video games while my brother and family
snuck me pizzas!!! (but that's an entirely
different story for a different time ;) ).
I
graduated from Willard High School and then went to
Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA where I
earned my BS in Psychology. I then moved to
Jacksonville, FL to get my MS in Counseling
Psychology. I wanted to become a counselor for
cancer patients and eventually a psychologist for
them as well. After my 3rd term there (2 more
to go), I was accepted into a Doctoral program in
Chicago at the Illinois School of Professional
Psychology. I was on my way to becoming a
psychologist and helping cancer patients!! I
took some time off from my studies in FL to
re-evaluate my life and get my ideas straight.
I wasn't sure if I was ready to become directly
involved with cancer patients. Especially
those who were teens, since I didn't think I could
handle looking into their eyes and seeing the pain
they were going through and knowing I went through
the same thing twice. However I DID know that
I wanted to do something for cancer patients and I
knew I liked helping people, so I tried to find
something I could do to inspire those same people I
wanted to help. I came up with the idea of
climbing Mt. Everest. What better way to
inspire cancer patients/survivors than to climb to
the highest peak in the world, I thought? I
figured I had done some climbing in Guatemala,
Hawaii, in the Appalachian area and some limited
stuff in the Rockies, and if I got the experience
necessary, I really thought I could do it. And
IF I did, imagine the impact it could have on people
around the world?
So
my brother and I founded a not-for-profit
organization called The Cancer Climber Association.
We not only wanted to use this climb as the
cornerstone, but we also wanted to offer unique
opportunities to people so they could challenge
themselves and possibly overcome their self-imposed
limitations. We thought that candlelight
dinners were boring. Silent auctions weren't
too exciting either, so we came up with this idea of
doing FUN things like bungee jumping, climbing,
expeditions... anything to get out and active and
enjoy life again to the fullest!
After
we founded Cancer Climber, we packed up what we could
and headed to Colorado. We camped for a couple
of weeks before we found a place to live and have
been working on this ever since. I've been in
Estes Park, Colorado training for Everest since
July. I was supposed to leave in October to
climb Cho Oyu, however due to the 9/11 attacks, that
was cancelled. And I have to say I was in NYC
at the time and it scared the crap out of me!!
I admire every person who was there and my heart
goes out to all those who lost people in the World
Trade Center!
So
there you have it, I guess!! Who I am, and why
I'm doing what I'm doing. I'm just trying to offer
hope to other people affected by cancer and trying
to make people appreciate life to the fullest!
We are actually getting a flag together of as many
people as possible who have been affected by cancer.
We hope to take that flag to the summit, take a
picture of it, and send it back to everyone on the
flag with words of encouragement!! So if you
know of anyone who either had cancer, has cancer, or
if you want to put someone's name on there who
didn't make it through cancer, we'll take them on up
with us...
Question
from EverestNews.com:
We understand you are probably going on an
expedition organized by "Of Global Interest
LLC" . What are they providing you ?
Answer
Sean Swarner: Yea,
a super lady named Heather O'Neal has been
organizing some things
with a group in Nepal. She's been excellent in
helping put us in touch with Wongchu Sherpa who is
actually organizing the expedition. Heather
has been great as far as getting things organized
for the trip over and the trek to base camp.
From there, it's all in Wongchu's hands! As
for what's being provided? Well, there's a ton
of things she's making sure I have available. She's
taken the responsibility of organizing things for me
such as hotel reservations, domestic flights,
orientation to the country (she studied there for a
year or so I think), along with numerous other
things! As for Wongchu? He's providing
me with everything I need to make a safe attempt on
Everest (i.e.. food, support, tents, cooks, a
personal climbing Sherpa.).
From
what I hear and from what I've found out myself
through some research, he's very reputable and has
the experience I was looking for.
Question
from EverestNews.com:
Are you basically your own expedition leader ?
Answer
Sean Swarner: Actually
not really... Wongchu is the leader of the
expedition. I also have a personal climbing Sherpa
to go with me up and down the mountain. I've
been told he's going to be with me through the
entire climb. I'm happy to hear that too!
Question
from EverestNews.com:
Your lack of experience on 8000 meter peaks and/or
altitude is concerning. Does it concern you ?
Answer
Sean Swarner: I'd
be an idiot if I said it didn't concern me!!
To be honest, I would feel more comfortable if I had
more experience, however the time's here and I'm
ready to get my happy butt up as far as I can.
I've told a lot of people this, and I guess I can
share it with you as well... it's not about
the summit. It's more about the experience.
It's more about trying to do something that's never
been done. It's about being adventuresome and
showing people that things are possible. It's
about inspiring others to live their dreams and to
shoot after their own goals. I agree with you
that my lack of experience is concerning. I'll
be the first to tell you that, however all one can ask is to do your best and put
your dreams high. I've always thought that
it's better to shoot for the stars and miss than to
not try at all. You are assured you'll land on
the moon. Corny, I know, but it gets a point
across. I also know that I'm going to be
getting a lot of criticism for being over there
doing something that many say I shouldn't. My answer
to that is, you never know until you try. You
never know how something's going to turn out unless
you try for yourself. Never go through life
wondering, "what if. . . "
Question
from EverestNews.com:
Is "Of Global Interest LLC" providing you
with Sherpas or others to guide or stay with you on
your summit climb?
Answer
Sean Swarner: Yea,
I think I answered that in another question, but
yes. Of Global Interest LLC is helping me by
putting me in touch with the team who will be with
me throughout the climb. Mingma Sherpa will
be with me the entire time. He's been on the
summit 6 times (and hopefully 7 this year!!) and
will guide me up AND down!
[Note since this interview Sean tells EverestNews.com
that Mingmar Tsering Sherpa, who is a very strong and
famous Sherpa will NOT be his personal Sherpa. He has
not been told who will replace him.]
Question
from EverestNews.com:
Everest is a dangerous place where climbers die
every year. Do you fell you understand the risk of
climbing Everest, and that you might not come home ?
Answer
Sean Swarner: That's
a tricky question. I think we talked about
this on the phone... about making your peace with
God. You know, I've seen death 2 times from
cancer. I was involved in a head-on car wreck
in a Tracker with a total collision speed of over
100 mph. I walked away. I flew 30 yards
through the air in another car after sliding on ice.
I walked away. I had a temperature of over 106
once and fried my brain (could explain a lot!!).
I went to college and partied (and somehow
graduated!!). I've been through a lot is what
I'm trying to say. For me to say that I'm not
scared of coming home in a box, or not coming home
at all would be lying. However, the truth is,
you can die in a car. You can die walking down
steps. And from recent events, you can die by
being in a building! I think that when your
time is up, your time is up and you must go. I
plan on living every day to the fullest until that
time comes! I plan on fighting to the end
until I have no resources left. Granted that
could happen on Everest. It's been proven that
people don't come home, and I know it's nearly
impossible to compare riding in a car to climbing
Everest, but the truth is, when the time's up on the
proverbial parking meter of life, there's no way to
put in extra change :) It's also tough to
think about and talk about because there are so many
people who care about me. They all support me
and they all know I want to do this. They'll
just pray I come home safely, like everyone else!
Question
from EverestNews.com:
Does it concern you that you will most likely be
criticized for not having experience at altitude?
Answer
Sean Swarner: Like
I said, I'm sure I'll be criticized for not having
the experience at altitude. It's very well
established and founded in truth. I'm not
going to sit here and tell people that I have the
experience when I really don't. I'm honest
with people and won't try to hide it either.
It does concern me yes, however look in the past at
everyone who was criticized for doing something out
of the norm. I'm not saying I should be
classified in that same category, no way in hell!!
What I'm saying is that people do things that
inspire others and impress and surprise others all
the time. Why not me? Why not you? Why
not anyone? Again, the only way to find out is
by trying, and I don't want to have those "what
if" questions when it's my time to go!
Also, people can criticize me all they want, but
there's only one way to find out... do it.
When I get there and my body doesn't react well,
then all those people who criticized me have a right
to say, "I TOLD YOU SO!!" But if
everything works out and my body reacts great, then
more power to it! Again, only one way to find
out.
Question
from EverestNews.com:
Some will say "He is NOT ready to try to climb
Everest on a non-guided or non-coached basis, that
is the bottom line." Response?
Answer
Sean Swarner: HA.
response? Well, it IS a guided expedition.
I'm going to be with someone from start to finish.
All the way from the base camp up to 29,035
(hopefully!!!!) AND down! If I WERE unguided?
Holy crap would I be scared :) I would think
more than twice about this whole thing!!
Question
from EverestNews.com:
Why did you decide on Of Global Interest LLC rather
than some of the
commercial operators that return to Everest just
about every year?
Answer
Sean Swarner: Well
to be honest, Heather seemed like a very nice person
who had her act together. She showed genuine
interest in what I wanted to do and has helped me a
LOT in getting everything together. I sent out
a letter to a lot of people and she was one who
wrote back saying she supported my idea as well as
my thoughts on inspiration. I really think
there were a lot of reasons. That's like
asking someone, "why did you go to 'so-and-so'
school?" There are a lot of different
reasons that come to mind, but the overall feeling
of that school, or company in this case, is just the
right one.
Question
from EverestNews.com: Someone will have to allow "Of Global Interest
LLC" to place you on their permit. Who you have
any idea who's permit you will be on ? and do you
understand that the company's permit you are on,
will not be responsible for you, except to file
paperwork if you die and other non-climbing stuff?
Answer
Sean Swarner: I
understand that Wongchu will have to put me on
another permit yea. I
do understand that they won't be responsible for me
as well. I think too many people put
responsibility in others' hands too often anyhow.
People need to start taking responsibility for
themselves. I know what dangers I'm putting
myself into and if something happens to me, more
than likely it's my fault. I won't be too
rushed to blame anyone else unless it was something
blatantly obvious that went completely against the
norm of climbing ethics and responsibilities.
I also have my brother at base camp, and to be
honest, if someone tells him that I'm not doing well
or that they don't think I should attempt the summit
or go any higher. He'll tell me and I'll
listen to him without question. That fact is
built into my brain and I will hopefully NOT change
that at altitude. If he says no, no it is.
Question
from EverestNews.com: How are you going to obtain weather reports? or how
will you judge when to attempt the mountain ?
Answer
Sean Swarner: The
weather reports are being obtained by Wongchu.
He's getting EVERYTHING together for me. After
doing some extensive research on him over the
internet, I feel honored that I'm climbing with him
and feel that he's going to provide me with nothing
but the best. I figure if he can organize a
climb for not only David Breashears, Goran Kropp and
many others, he can put together an expedition for
me! I'm in the best, most capable hands!! Sean
Swarner The story continues
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