My friends know I rarely do things by halves. When I commit myself to something, I’m all in!

You can see this in the way I do business, the way I care for my family, myself, my friends, and loved ones, along with my spiritual devotion.

I want to impact this world with something that is bigger than myself! I want to leave a legacy of helping others. The only thing perfect about each day is the way we live, the way we give of ourselves, and the way we care about others. It’s all wrapped up in the way we experience life abundantly.

This May, I plan to climb Mount Everest for a single purpose and that is to raise awareness for cancer prevention. Only about 5,000 people have reached the summit of Everest — the highest point on the planet at 29,028 feet.

Many have turned back and others have not made it to the top, but I plan to summit and to take a huge step forward for cancer education and prevention.

Right now, I’m in the middle of training. It takes months of grueling physical preparation and weeks of acclimatization to get used to Everest’s oxygen-starved altitude. While this seems like an extreme quest, it’s also a personal one.

Over the last few years, I have lost family members and friends to cancer, and I believe it’s time for all of us to step up to ask: “What can I do?”

My answer: Let’s find a cure, a way to support early detection, and a way to stop this horrendous disease! So, I’m asking: Will you climb with me through your support of Everyday Everest?

I have climbed five of the world’s tallest peaks. There are seven, and I know Everest will be my most challenging.

I’ve decided to dedicate my climb to MUSC Hollings Cancer Center in an effort to raise $1 million dollars that will be used to fund a new mobile health unit.

This unit will provide easy access for people living in underserved communities, who may not see the necessity of early screenings. Most of all, this mobile facility will be used for cancer prevention, education, and awareness.

For me, this commitment is also personal. My given name is Helen, and there were two Helens before me, who passed away from cancer. I’m convinced they would still be here if early screening were available to them.

Today, my Colorado “mother” battles ovarian cancer, and my new friend and #EverydayEverest Be Bold bracelet fundraising partner, Norton and Hodges’ leading lady Suzette Bussey is battling breast cancer. So, I’m fully in this fight!

While I will climb for these women, I’ll also be climbing for others—strangers that I don’t know but whose goal is to simply “summit” life and live! I want them to one day hear these words: No Evidence of Disease (NED).

I’m asking you to join me — to climb Mount Everest with me and to summit alongside me by supporting my effort and by giving the money needed for accessible cancer screening.

Please take the Everyday Everest health pledge and consider making a donation toward this wonderful cause. Thank you for your help and sincere concern.