Left to right: Carol O'Loughlin, EI Program Manager, Jenn Hennessey, Hike founder and co-chair, Mary Yeo- Hike participant and team member of EI's inaugural climb of Mt. Aconcagua, Dr. Peter Kaufman - Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Norris Cotton Cancer Center, and Melissa Waterhouse - Hike co-chair.

FOURTH ANNUAL NEW HAMPSHIRE TAKE-A-HIKE A damp fall morning greeted hardy hikers of all ages and fitness levels, as they hit the trail for Expedition Inspiration’s Fourth Annual New Hampshire Take-A-Hike. As supporters reached the summit of Mt. Major, the sun broke out and rewarded hikers with fabulous views of Lake Winnepesaukee and the surrounding mountain ranges. Hikers from New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Maine and Massachusetts participated in this wonderful event in the great outdoors and raised over $15,000 for research.

The Hike funds research conducted under the direction of Peter A. Kaufman, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine (Hematology/Oncology) at The Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center - Norris Cotton Cancer Center. Dr. Kaufman spoke at the Hike about how the funds from the Hike continue to support important patient services and programs at the Cancer Center.

The Hike began with a heartwarming Tribute Flag Ceremony, where each hiker dedicated their hike to a loved one who has fought the disease. Participants were honored to hike with Mary Yeo, of Cumberland Center, ME. Mary was a member of Expedition Inspiration’s first team of climbers, which summitted Mt. Aconcagua in 1995.

Thanks to local sponsors; Tender Corporation, Timberland, E’s T’s and Attitash.

Special thank you to the Hike co-chairs, Jenn Hennessey and Melissa Waterhouse, and their steering committee for their continued energy and inspiration as they organize this event each year!

Climbing Mt. Major for a good cause

By JOHN KOZIOL
jkoziol@citizen.com
Article Date: Monday, October 8, 2007

ALTON — It was an auspicious sign in the search for a cure that a hike up Mount Major to raise money for breast cancer research began in a cold mist and under dark clouds but ended in warm sunshine and clear blue skies.

Sixty-five hearty souls, ranging in age from toddler to senior, a number of them breast cancer survivors or their family members, gathered Sunday at the popular hiking spot whose summit, at just about any time except the 10 a.m. start-time for the fourth annual New Hampshire Take-A-Hike, would have offered them great views of Lake Winnipesaukee and the Lakes Region.

Proceeds from the hike, which was sponsored by the Expedition Inspiration (EI) Fund for Breast Cancer Research, benefit the Norris Cotton Cancer Center in affiliation with the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.

Before the hike began, Dover's Jennifer Hennessey, who, with Melissa Waterhouse of Portsmouth, chaired the event, said organizers were concerned about trail conditions after Mount Major and much of the surrounding area and state got a healthy dose of rain that fell in varying intensity from Saturday evening into Sunday morning.

"The weather's raining on our parade a little bit," she said, as the number of hikers getting ready for an ascent up one of the mountain's three trails, nonetheless continued to grow.

Hennessey thanked the hikers for coming out and cautioned them to proceed with care, but before doing so, invited them to share in the "tribute flag" ceremony during which they stood in a circle and spoke about why he or she was there and who they wanted to honor or remember by participating.

"It was a great success overall," said Hennessey, "We were very happy."

The Alton hike is one of three that EI holds annually around the country and the only one on the East Coast. The next EI hike is Oct. 13 in Los Angeles.

The goal of EI, according to www.expeditioninspiration.org, is to "raise awareness and monies to benefit breast cancer research through research project funding, public education, and patient support. Additionally, through organized and sponsored outdoor endeavors, Expedition Inspiration promotes the physical and mental well being of breast cancer survivors."

The NH Take-A-Hike "has really become our major fundraiser," said Peter Kaufman, M.D., who is an oncologist and heads the clinical research program at the Norris Cotton and Dartmouth-Hitchcock centers.

While the amount raised may be modest—the 2006 hike brought in about $8,000—the money is both appreciated and essential, said Kaufman, especially at a time when federal grants continue to dry up.

"Every thing helps," he said, explaining that thanks to donations, researchers at Norris Cotton and Dartmouth-Hitchcock have been able to learn more about breast cancer and how to apply that toward creating a treatment regimen.

There have been "major advances" in diagnosing and treating breast cancer in the last five years, including here in the Granite State, said Kaufman, where he and his colleagues have studied the HER-2 gene, which goes abnormal in some types of cancers. The researchers were able to help better identify which patients with breast cancer should receive Herceptin, a drug that targets the defective gene.

"That let the women who should get it, get it, and not treat the women who shouldn't get it," he said, "which is sometimes even much more important" because of the risk of adverse side-effects.

Kaufman hopes the Take-A-Hikes will continue to grow because they help pay for research "and this is how we make advances."

Sandy Burt of Center Barnstead shares Kaufman's hope.

Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004, she completed her treatment in 2005 and has been cancer-free since. Kaufman is her oncologist.

Along with her husband Ken, Burt assembled a team of 12 hikers on Sunday, including Jessica Riel of Pittsfield, the mother of the Burts' three-year old granddaughter Jaden.

Burt said that, ironically, both Riel and Burt's own mom, Anne Esty of Hebron, both recently completed their own treatments for breast cancer.

"I'm two years out and doing very well," said Burt. She thanked the many supporters who helped her team raise more than $1,500 during the hike and stressed that the best way to treat breast cancer is education and early detection.

To contribute toward breast cancer research at the Norris Cotton Cancer Center in affiliation with the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, go to www.EITakeAHike.org or call 866-319-6456.