First off, see our blog.
http://contrecoups.com/reach/

My wife and I are climbing Mt. Hood, the highest mountain in Oregon at 11,237 feet. It’s not just a climb. It’s part of a program called Reach the Summit sponsored by the American Lung Association. As part of our commitment, we each need to raise $3000, a total of $6000 between the two of us.

For all of you who saw the unfortunate news of the climbers who recently died on Mt. Hood, rest assured, this climb is nothing like that. The climb is led by professional mountain guides, 1 for every 4 climbers. We will be taking the south side route rather than the more challenging north side the other climbers chose. And, we will climb is historically the best weather week of the year. We start training the first week in February to be ready for the climb June 23. It is extremely safe, but challenging. And we need your help.

We decided to climb the mountain in memory of Liz McNamara. She was a very close family friend who died of Lung Cancer in June of 2000. Everyone who met her, immediately fell in love with her sense of humor. She is deeply missed. She was taken from life too soon at only years 51 years old, before her only daughter, Beth, was married. Liz suffered, but still fought hard, outliving the doctor’s 6 month lifeline by almost 2 years. Eric and I see this climb as a beautiful tribute to an amazing life. We will carry her picture to the top of Oregon, as close as we can get to her. Liz was one of so many people affected with lung disease, not to mention all those who suffer from asthma. The American Lung Association also works hard on smoking prevention to try to keep kids from getting started. These issues affect all of our lives. Help us in reaching out.

We realize every person receiving this letter is in a different financial state. We hope you’ll consider a $100 donation, but whatever donation you feel you can give, is that much closer to our goal. We each donated $150 to get started and will be training at least 5 days each week to prepare for the climb. If everyone who receives this letter gives what they can, we will reach our fundraising goal and be able to participate in the climb. Your generous and tax-deductible contribution to the American Lung Association of Oregon on our behalf will help people breathe easier and help us reach our goal.

Again, any donation is greatly appreciated.
–> Credit card - follow the links on the main page of our blog to the right (http://contrecoups.com/reach/
--> Or use paypal to send to us and we'll write the check to the association. Proof of transfer will be provided upon request.

To keep posted on our progress check out our blog www.contrecoups.com/reach where we will post pictures of our training hikes throughout the Columbia River Gorge and our fundraising achievements. There is also a really great short video of the Mt. Hood climb to give you a better idea of our goal.

THANK YOU SO MUCH IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR GENEROSITY TO THIS GREAT CAUSE! PLEASE PASS THIS ALONG TO ANYONE WHO MIGHT WANT TO HELP!

PS. The deadline for donations is April 2 so that we are eligible to climb. Don’t let this letter get buried. Send it now while you’re thinking about it! We would love to pay tribute to anyone in your life affected by this cause. We welcome letters or emails including pictures of those you would like us to carry to the top! We will also post these on the blog. Get involved!

Sincerely,
Hilary and Eric Duvauchelle