Name:ALICIA O'NEILL

Age:57

Hometown:Santa Barbara, CA/Stamford, CT

Reason for climbing: TO SUPPORT PATIENTS, CAREGIVERS AND THOSE WHO WORK TO FIND A CURE

I work for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF), and founded the MMRF Endurance Events Program in 2007. I’ve run 10 marathons, several of them side by side with myeloma patients, caregivers and myeloma medical professionals. . In January, I was honored to take on the biggest physical challenge of my life. I climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, the tallest free standing mountain in the world (19,341 ft) with a team of 15 to raise funds and awareness for multiple myeloma research. Reaching the summit along side 4 myeloma patients and 10 myeloma loved ones was such an incredibly powerful experience. I came down the mountain a different person.

In May I had the privilege of hiking the Grand Canyon with 3 patients, a myeloma doctor and several myeloma caregivers. What an empowering and incredible experience THAT was!

Next up in the trifecta: Hiking the Inca Trail in Peru l to Machu Picchu. This team of twenty includes 4 patients, 4 myeloma nurses as well as a myeloma doctor. Others on the team are caregivers and friends of patients who climb to raise funds and awareness for this difficult blood cancer.

Let the adventure continue! I'm so excited to put my body on the line and walk side-by-side with so many wonderful people who are taking action and are moving mountains to find a cure! Bring it on!