Scott Woods, Lung Cancer Patient, Summits Mt. Rainier and will Tell His Story

What comes to mind when you think about cancer patients and cancer treatment? Probably not an image of someone standing on the summit of one of North America’s highest mountain peaks. On August 4th, however, Scott Woods, a 43 year old lung cancer patient who has undergone over two years of intensive chemotherapy, did exactly that by reaching the summit of Mount Rainier (14,411 ft) in Washington state. An ascent of Mt Rainier is a major physical challenge for even the strongest mountaineer, but it was especially challenging for Woods, who had his most recent round of chemotherapy treatment just weeks before the climb. Scott is a 2009 graduate of FIT TO FIGHT, and he describes the program as having been ‘transformational’ in his physical and mental approach to fighting his cancer. “I never would have done it if it hadn’t been for FIT TO FIGHT. They got me back on track towards being fit and strong. They made me believe that I could still pursue big physical challenges despite my illness”.

Scott was diagnosed with an incurable form of lung cancer in 2008 at the age of 41. Prior to his diagnosis he was a life-long non-smoker, and an active trail runner, backpacker and hiker. Scott’s training schedule for the Mount Rainier summit bid included trail running, extended day hiking on steep trails with a loaded pack, and strength training using weights. His cancer is currently being treated with chemotherapy. Therefore, unlike other people training for an ascent of Rainier, he had to deal not only with the physical demands imposed by the training itself, but also with the side effects of his 3-weekly chemotherapy treatment, which include fatigue and muscle weakness. Scott’s climb started on August 2nd, with an ascent to Camp Muir at 10,080ft, where he and his team spent the night. The next day they climbed another 1000 ft to the Ingraham Flats where they camped and rested for several hours before setting off in the early hours of the morning to climb the remaining 3300 ft to the summit. Woods and his team made steady progress on the upper mountain, and at around 7.30am on August 4th, they reached the summit. “The summit came up very suddenly” remembers Woods. “All of a sudden we were there, standing on the rim of the summit crater.” It was a very emotional moment for Woods, and for his team of fellow climbers and guides who knew about Scott’s unique situation. “There were a lot of high-fives and hugs!” says Woods. “Climbing Mount Rainier was an incredible experience, definitely one of the highlights of my entire life, and one I will never forget. It was incredibly empowering, and in that moment when I reached the summit I knew in my heart that I was “Stronger than Cancer”!

By taking on the challenge of summiting Mount Rainier and sharing his experience, Scott aims to further raise awareness of and funding for FIT TO FIGHT so that as many people as possible can receive the benefits that the program provides. The FIT TO FIGHT program is cost-free and open to anyone who has undergone or who is presently in treatment for cancer. The cost of running the program is almost entirely met through ‘in-kind’ support of time and resources from Alpine Physical Therapy and PEAK Health & Wellness Center. However, demand for the program has risen to the point where it exceeds its capacity with existing resources. In order for the program to expand and continue long term, additional funding is needed. So far, Scott’s climb has raised more than $3000 from corporate sponsorship and individual donations, which will cover the cost of one additional ten-week FIT TO FIGHT session in 2010/2011.

Scott’s story illustrates the importance of exercise during and after cancer treatment. Ironically cancer treatment is often more brutal than the disease. Treatments leave the body diminished in function, affecting one’s state of mind and quality of life. The current medical model of cancer treatment may resolve the disease, but the resulting negative side-effects are often left unaddressed. Medical studies prove that exercise helps minimize the detrimental side-effects of cancer treatment, aiding in the return to a better quality of life. The FIT TO FIGHT program uses exercise based therapy to empower participants to become stronger and fitter, regain trust in their bodies, and ultimately to become “Stronger than Cancer”.

FIT TO FIGHT was founded in February 2008 by Sam Schoeneman, a physical therapist at Alpine Physical Therapy and Mary Lynn Eiseman, cancer survivor and partner of PEAK Health and Wellness Center. FIT TO FIGHT runs three eight-week programs per year. Each bi-weekly session consists of stretching, breathing & relaxation, resistive strengthening, and endurance training led by an exercise physiologist, supervised directly by a physical therapist, and individually tailored to meet the needs of each participant. To be a candidate for participation you must either be a cancer patient undergoing treatment who has been released by your physician for FIT TO FIGHT participation, or be a cancer survivor who has not yet returned to your desired quality of life.

Scott Woods
STRONGER THAN CANCER: Fighting Back by Climbing Mountains
The Roxy Theater
Wednesday, September 29th, 2010
Beverages & Appetizers at 5.30pm
Presentation at 6.15pm
Donations to FIT TO FIGHT Appreciated
PDF of Event Information