A cheerful bubble bar festooned with glistening icicles welcomed snowshoe participants as they joined forces in raising nearly $50,000 for breast cancer research during the Expedition Inspiration Fund for Breast Cancer Research Twilight Snowshoe on Valentines Day, at the Elkhorn Springs Restaurant.

“The courageous efforts of my friend Laura Evans and the organization she founded are very dear to my heart.”, reflected auctioneer Larry Flynn as he wove through the audience, acknowledging friends and guests for their involvement. Participants, eager to contribute to a cause that affects 1 in 8 women, jumped at the chance to bid on a spectacular African photo safari, leaving 4 winning parties smiling at the end of the evening.

“In the entire community of breast cancer research, there is truly nothing that compares to Expedition Inspiration’s Annual Medical Symposium,” offered V.K. Gadi, MD, PhD, recipient E.I.’s prestigious 2007 Young Investigator Award. “It is a place where we can truly examine the validity of our work amongst highly critical thinkers”, he explained before an engaged and attentive audience. This important annual meeting, taking place this year at the end of February, unites preeminent researchers from around the world in the free exchange of ideas to accelerate development of new and effective treatments for breast cancer.

At the end of the evening, guests, content in knowing they had participated in the search for a cure, nestled back to a crackling fire and delighted in the soothing sweet sounds of Seattle jazz singer Susan Fowler.

Monies raised during the Expedition Inspiration Fund for Breast Cancer Research Twilight Snowshoe Celebration will go directly towards the annual symposium, this year entitled “Using Bioinformatics to Transform Breast Cancer.” E.I. cordially invites the public to a free open forum panel discussion on Thursday, February 26th to meet the researchers and participate in a question and answer session.

This event was made possible through the participation of many local donors and volunteers, with a very heartfelt thank you to all who participated in its success. For more information about The Expedition Inspiration Fund for Breast Cancer Research and the upcoming Open Forum, please call 208-726-6456 or visit www.expeditioninspiration.org