50-year-old Pittsburgher Laura Willumsen discovered her passion for mountains and fitness over the past two years in what she calls her “mid-life crisis.” During this period, the once sedentary lady has climbed mountains, both hiking and rock-climbing, entered weight-lifting competitions, and completed four campaigns raising $16,000 for leukemia research including her first triathlon, 1/2 marathon and century ride. She has joined Climb for Hope in honor of her sister Sarah O'Connor and her cousin Patsy Fitzgibbons, both of whom have suffered from breast cancer.

Laura's itinerary in Ecuador


Special thanks to campaign manager Karen Kern, computer consultant Dan Klein, trainer Tommy Edwards, designers Randie Snow and Ted Williams from Giant Ideas, collaborators Dennis Brown, Maureen Zeher, and Bryan Ward of Giant Ideas, the Vision Marketing Team of Beth Gazda, Josh Greenblatt, John Adduci and Lee Greenblatt, Claire Meehan of Alpha Graphics, Megan Huston of National Printing, Gene Carr and Christina Blodgett of Patron Mail, Erik Lingren of Venture Outdoors, and Peter Greninger of REI. Also thanks to people who agreed to write and donate when this was only a baby idea: Rachel Victoria Mills, Joe Smith, Ginny Schultz, and family members, an altogether amazing group of smart, generous, and caring people.

Contact Laura , please click here.