Dear Friends,

I’M SO EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE this July I will be participating in the 17^th annual "CLIMB FOR CLEAN AIR" and will be CLIMBING THE BEAUTIFUL AND BREATHTAKING Mt. RAINIER!!! "It is the toughest climb in the lower 48."

Living here in Seattle I have the pleasure of looking out at the picturesque views which include Rainier. What a sight it is to look at the snow covered mountain on a beautiful day just towering up into the sky. For the past several years the mountain has been calling my name. Climbing Rainier has been one of my dreams and goals for some time now, I wasn’t sure how I was going to accomplish the incredible feat but now with the help of the American Lung Association of Washington and the Mountaineering Guru, Lou Whittaker, I’m getting my chance and my dream is becoming a reality. It is a challenge I look forward to accomplishing, especially since I’ve never really done anything like this before. I can’t wait to get to the top and sign my name in the book that’s up there. My family thinks I’m crazy and maybe so do you, but I’m going to do it and I’m going to climb all the way to the top of the 14, 411 ft. mountain. And Oh what a view that will be, looking out from on top of the mountain. Now that’s a million dollar view! Not everyone gets to experience such an incredible moment. Maybe they should make a Mastercard commercial out of that one.

One of the best things about the climb is that I get to share the experience with a couple of my closest friends, Bonnie and Matt who will be doing the climb with me. What a beautiful sunrise we will have to share while we are pushing each other to keep going. They say when you climb Rainier it will change your life. Well, I’m excited about that. I’m ready for a fresh new breath of life. What an opportunity to share something so challenging and spectacular with my friends.

As you can tell I’m thrilled to be participating in this wonderful event, but as is true with so many things that are really worth doing, this can’t be a solo effort! I need your support not only to raise the $3,500 donation required for the participation in the Climb, but also to muster up the internal strength I know I will need to meet the physical and emotional challenges that lie ahead. As you can see, I have two challenges ahead of me, raising the funds and preparing myself physically and emotionally to make it to the top. I have to work hard to reach my goal, but I really can’t get there without help from each person I’m sending this letter to. Please express your support in one or more of the following ways:

Send a 100% tax deductible* donation, made out to the American Lung Association of Washington (ALAW) to: Rachel Blake, 8035 interlake Ave. N., Seattle WA. 98103 or Donate online with your credit card by logging onto www.mattcass.com/climb

( * I will send you an official receipt back to you for your records)

$1,000+ I wish I could be up there with you, Invite me to the homecoming and the celebration dinner after the Climb at the Paradise Lodge.

$500-$1,000 I'm with you in spirit, take a picture of a banner with my name on it at the top!

$100-$500 I know you will make it to the summit! What a great cause, send me a picture of yourself from the top!

$50-$100 Are you absolutely out of your mind, Blow me a kiss from the top!

$25-$50 How exciting, Best of luck Rachel

---- Other, Good for you, Here's a token of support.

Help me spread the word about what I’m doing - Mention the Climb to your friends and ask if they’d be interested in sponsoring me. More info at www.mattcass.com/climb

Many companies match their employees’ charitable giving - ask your employer to match your gift!

Send me your inspirational and encouraging thoughts, poems, jokes, stories, etc. either by mail at the address above or by email at rachelblake@comcast.net  

If you are going to contribute, please do so TODAY. I’m a little late in starting this process, and I need to raise the money before June, 10^th in order to secure a spot on the Climb.

Rather than climbing Mount Rainier solely for personal reasons alone, I will be raising a minimum or $3,500 to help aid the American Lung Association in their fight against lung disease. Here is what your generous donation will help support:

Research into preventing lung disease such as asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, lung cancer, tuberculosis, and cystic fibrosis.

Being pro-active in the fight against outdoor air pollutants.

Striving to reduce tobacco use, especially among young people, that is responsible for over 400,000 deaths in the US each year. It’s a fact that tobacco causes more deaths than cocaine, heroin, alcohol, homicide, suicide, traffic accidents, fires, and AIDS, combined.

It’s pretty nerve racking taking on a challenge like this, but with your encouragement and support it will make it a lot easier. I hope you will share this desire to support the cause as I do and I thank you in advance for believing in my effort and in the important work of the Lung Association – and I thank you for offering whatever support you can!!

Much Love,

 

Rachel Blake

When You Can’t Breathe, Nothing Else Matters!!!

For more information, give me a call at 206-931-0591, email me at rachelblake@comcast.net , visit the ALAW website at www.alaw.org and click on the Climb for Clean Air link, or visit our website at www.mattcass.com/climb here you will find pictures of us during our hikes, info on "our sweet raffle" which each person who donates will automatically be entered into and other fun stuff. (Check us out sliding on our butts down the bottom of Rainier on one of our training climbs!)