Climb Against the Odds
A Story of Courage and Survival as 12
Women Fight Breast Cancer at 20,000 Feet
Climb
Against the Odds, an inspirational
story of female courage, hope and survival in the face
of breast cancer, is airing on public television stations
nationwide. Climb Against the Odds documents the
1998 expedition of 12 women - 5 of whom are breast cancer
survivors - who attempt to climb Alaska's Mount McKinley.
At 20,320 feet McKinley (also known as Denali) is the
highest peak in North America. Located just below the
Arctic Circle, it is also one of the most treacherous
in the world to climb. This riveting program demonstrates
the power of camaraderie and determination in the face
of grave challenges.
Climb Against the Odds is presented
by KQED/San Francisco, in association with The Breast
Cancer Fund, and will air on public television stations
across the country. Viewers should check local listings
for air dates and times in their area.
Narrated by Oscar-, Emmy- and Tony-winning
actress Olympia Dukakis, who donated her services on this
project, Climb Against the Odds is earning international
acclaim. It is a compelling call to join the struggle
against the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide,
and the number one killer of women between the ages of
25 and 55.
Each
woman participating in Climb Against the Odds has,
in one way or another, been faced with the challenge of
breast cancer. Five of the women who prepared for the
climb were breast cancer survivors, only one with any
climbing experience. Seven young, healthy women, five
from Princeton University, made the journey alongside
them. They climbed to honor loved ones who have suffered
from breast cancer. Together, the climbers strove to bring
intergenerational awareness to this disease that threatens
one out of every eight women in the U.S. They climbed
with the hopes of changing the odds for all women.
The documentary highlights the touching
story of Marcy Ely Wilson who, having survived her first
breast cancer diagnosis in 1991, trained for the McKinley
climb for 2-1/2 years. At the last moment, Marcy's cancer
returned in the form of a brain tumor, keeping her from
climbing. Nevertheless, she accompanied the team to the
mountain to provide inspiration. While the climbers battled
the elements, Marcy fought cancer one last time. The team
dedicated the climb to Marcy.
The McKinley team also carried 1200 prayer
flags with them on their journey to fly at each campsite
as they scaled the mountain. These flags represent the
millions of women who have fought breast cancer around
the world.
Climb
Against the Odds serves as a metaphor for anyone,
man or woman, who faces a difficult challenge in life.
These courageous women confronted their fears and proved
the power of strength, will, determination, love and support.
They are determined not to let the physical trauma of
chemotherapy, radiation and keep them from their goals.
As Marcy Ely Wilson so eloquently stated, "McKinley is
a walk in the park...Cancer is the BIG mountain."
Climb Against the Odds is a project
of The Breast Cancer Fund, a progressive national non-profit
organization based in California and founded in 1992 to
innovate and accelerate the response to the breast cancer
crisis. The Breast Cancer Fund raises money from individuals,
businesses and foundations through high visibility activities,
such as the momentous McKinley climb, to fund cutting-edge
research and programs that support and educate.
A Climb Against The Odds companion
soundtrack CD has been released by PBS Records (Warner
Bros. Special Projects) in conjunction with the television
broadcast. k.d. lang, Paula Cole, Celine Dion, The Indigo
Girls and Beth Nielson Chapman, Nanci Griffith, Billie
Myers, Jami Sieber and Sweet Honey in the Rock have lent
their words and voices to this magnificent documentary.
An original theme song for the film was written and recorded
by Karen Pernick and the original score was written by
Emmy-winning composer Laura Karpman.
National broadcast of Climb Against
the Odds is made possible with the underwriting support
of the Farmers Insurance Group of Companies, Brita Products
Company, and Amgen Inc. It is produced by Michelson-Carlson
Productions in association with KQED Inc. and The Breast
Cancer Fund, with international distribution by GRB Entertainment
and home video distribution through New Video Group.
KQED is the largest public broadcaster
in Northern California, and a leading producer of programs
for national public television. Climb Against the Odds
is distributed by American Public Television (formerly
American Program Service), Boston, a major source of programming
for the nation's public television stations.
