Nesconset Cousins Climb Kilimanjaro For Breast Cancer Research

Local cousins conquer Kilimanjaro and meet fundraiser goals for Breast Cancer research

By Chad Kushins

Photos courtesy of Brian Maloney

1.) Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance – the peak that has been inspiring adventurers and writers for decades.Reaching the highest peak of Mount Kilimanjaro wasn’t just a personal best for Brian and Jason Maloney, but also a symbolic forge towards conquering an insidious disease.  But in July, after months of preparation and training, the local cousins did just that – scaling one of the most dangerous and historic peaks in the world in order to raise funding towards Breast Cancer research. 

After his both mother-in-law suffered from the disease and later beat it in 2008, Nesconset resident Jason Maloney, 36, made the decision to take part in the fundraiser climbs; that year Maloney scaled Washington’s Mount Rainier, which at 14,411 feet, is one of the highest peaks in the nation, and succeeded in raising $5,000 for the hospital.  For this summer’s feat, Maloney was joined by cousin Brian, 35, for the Kilimanjaro trek, with both men aiming to raise a combined $20,000 for the cause.  As Brian told Smithtown Matters, they were not only able to meet that figure, but also have an adventure of a lifetime.

“We got there a little bit earlier to prepare, but the trip itself took us a total of about 11 days,” said Brian, a health teacher in the Levittown School District.  “We left on July 18 and we started climbing on July 23.  We scaled back down on July 29, and it was a great challenge.

“It felt like a great accomplishment once it was over,” Maloney added, referring to both the physical endeavors he shared with his cousin and the successful bid to raise $10,000 apiece.  “We both reached our combined goals, which amounted to over $23,000 for breast cancer research … That was the main concern and it felt incredible to meet that number.  It was amazing.”

According to Maloney, the initial concept of climbing one of the most famous – and infamous – peaks in the entire world was a nerve-wracking idea, even though the challenge was for a great cause.  “We flew half-way around the world with a monetary goal in mind,” Maloney added, “and even with all the training and the right attitude, I was always nervous that we might not make it.  It was a strange place we had never been and a physical challenge at an extremely high altitude.  Luckily, we made it.” 

Once arriving in Africa, the Maloney cousins and the rest of their seven tour participants, began the climb after a few days of additional training and acclimation to the environment.  According to Maloney, the trek itself proved to be “more of a mental game,” as weather would dictate when and where the actual climb could take place – and for how long a period at a time.  Looking out for the health and fitness of their climbers, the guides from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center made sure everyone involved got enough rest during the week-long excursion. 

“We ate well and drank plenty,” said Maloney, “and every morning we would pack up and start off again.  Honestly, there wasn’t much downtime, or just sitting around the camp and relaxing.  Sometimes, it felt great just to sit a little while and take your boots off and read a book, but after hiking and stopping and hiking and stopping, it would be cold and dark up there after dinner.  We would just climb and go back to the tents – everyday.”

Although the adventure had its own ups and downs – including an unrelated incident in Cape Town, South Africa days after the climb, when Brian and his girlfriend were mugged of money and their Passports – Maloney claims that the positive feedback and the genuine outpouring of excitement and gratitude for their efforts have been tremendous.  “It was amazing,” Maloney added.  “After reaching the fundraising goals, people were really happy and enthusiastic about what everyone in the project had done – wanting to ask us everything about the trip, telling us that they were proud, and wanting pictures with us … We even left our information on the research centers’ website because donations have been continuing, and that’s the real goal.”

According to organizers, The Fred Hutchinson Center for Cancer research has been hosting and utilizing various incarnations of the “Climb to Fight Breast Cancer” for well over a decade, making the Maloney cousins’ endeavor part of its 15^th annual yearly event.  While Jason and Brian’s climb was a major event for this season, other related cancer research “peaks” have included Mount Adams and Mount Baker in Washington, Mount Elbrus in Russia, and Mount Hood in Oregon.  Each climb will have a limited number of team members – generally nine or 10 – as established by the guide services. Participants commit to fundraising minimums of $3,000 to $12,500, depending on the mountain. 

To make a donation or for further information on both Jason and Brian, visit The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center’s official “Climb to Fight Breast Cancer” website, www.fhcrc.org/climb.