2001 has been a challenging and incredibly exciting year for the research programs of the Expedition Inspiration Fund for Breast Cancer Research. In this issue of the newsletter you will find the breast cancer research grants approved by the EIFBCR Medical Board, including the annual Collaborative and Young Researcher Grants awarded from our Symposium.     This year, the 5th Annual EIFBCR Symposium addressed the complex issue of "Hormones in the Etiology, Prognosis, Prevention and Treatment of Breast Cancer." Our annual Symposium continues to grow in success and influence in the breast cancer research community. Also in this issue of the newsletter you will find a short summary of the highlights from this year's "Consensus and Action Items" statement to be published in the journal "Breast Cancer Research and Treatment" - a statement meant to provide new ideas and research directions to the breast cancer research community. The Consensus Statement from the 2000 Symposium was published earlier this year in the same prestigious journal under the editorial direction of Dr. Marc Lippman.     Finally, I am extremely pleased to announce that EIFBCR Medical Board member Dr. Julie Gralow from the University of Washington in Seattle has agreed to assume the duties of Chairman of the Medical Board. Dr. Gralow's acknowledged expertise in the field of breast cancer research and treatment will bring a new level of recognition and validation to the activities of the Fund. I look forward to working with Dr. Gralow in the coming years, continuing our fight against breast cancer. UPDATE is published two times a year by EXPEDITION INSPIRATION 640 North Main . Box 4289 . Ketchum, Idaho 83340 . Tel 208 726-6456 . Fax 208 725-2091 . E Mail ei@expeditioninspiration.org Expedition Inspiration tribute flags are proudly flown from the summit of Mt. Whitney (14,497') at sunrise on August 30. Julie Houk, of Mountain Home, ID and Laurie Barrera, EI Board Member and breast cancer survivor, Boise, ID, celebrate with their guides from Sierra Moutaineering. "The First Annual Michele Ann Potkin Memorial Climb" up Mt. Whitney was held in late August. Our team summitted to a beautiful sunrise on August 30. The climb was dedicated to honor Michele, who climbed with EI founder, Laura Evans. Michele perished in an avalanche in 2000. Her dear friend, Diane Warren, underwrote this climb as a fitting tribute to Michele, her love of climbing, and her commitment to the breast cancer cause. Many thanks to Diane Warren and The Diane Warren Foundation for their support of EI. Check out their website at: www.dianewarrenfoundation@realsongs.com. Next year's "Second Annual Michele Ann Potkin Memorial Climb", up Mt. Whitney is scheduled for August 17-23, 2002. See our 2002 Passport in this issue for more information. Julie Gralow, MD, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Medicine, Division of Oncology at the University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington has been named as Chairman of the Medical Board. "Dr. Gralow has been on our medical board for three years." Said Katie Powell, Executive Director of EI, "and we are honored that she has stepped up as the chair. Her reputation as a clinical researcher in the field of breast cancer can only further our organization's goalÑwhich is to find a cure for this disease."