Mountain America Raises Money, Awareness for American Cancer Society's 39th Climb to Conquer Cancer in Phoenix
Employees and members across two states donated $4,500 to the American Cancer Society to honor survivors and fight the disease
On February 26, 2022, Mountain America Credit Union employees and members from Arizona and New Mexico participated in the American Cancer Society’s annual Climb to Conquer Cancer of Phoenix after donating $4,500 to raise awareness about reducing cancer risk and to help combat the deadly disease.
“We all came together because we really want to help our members, and if we have opportunities to help them in the community, we want to do that,” said Aaron Shirley, a Mountain America branch manager in Queen Creek.
Shirley, an Arizona native, explained that he lost his father to prostate cancer, which is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men, behind only lung cancer.
“My father passed away three years ago on Christmas,” he said. Shirley dedicated the approximately 5-mile hike at South Mountain to honor and celebrate his father’s memory. Surrounded by other members of the community with their own stories of loss and survival, his teammates and the credit union’s local members joined him.
Shortly after getting involved, Mountain America employees and members across Arizona—including Apache Junction, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Goodyear, Mesa and Phoenix—jumped at the chance to participate in the fundraiser. Mountain America’s New Mexico branches in Albuquerque also contributed to the cause.
“We have a variety of people out here today. We have families, we have survivors, patients and caregivers,” said Lena Spotleson, director of corporate relations for the American Cancer Society’s South Region.
The American Cancer Society is a nationwide, community-based volunteer health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem.
“We are primarily funded by donations from the community just like Mountain America Credit Union’s donation. So, it is important for our organization to have donations like this because not only does it bring the community together, but it also raises those funds,” she explained.
Spotleson said that money raised from the climb allows the American Cancer Society to continue providing free services like cancer treatment; rides to and from doctor appointments; and a toll-free number that patients, caregivers and family members can call for free information about their specific type of cancer and other health topics. The American Cancer Society is currently funding four grants in Arizona totaling more than $5.4 million.
She shared that in its 39th year, the Climb to Conquer Cancer of Phoenix raised over $210,000 with the help of individuals and teams like Mountain America. In addition to raising money, Mountain America officially became the event’s Survivor/Caregiver Warrior Sponsor and handed out bottled water to the more than 1,200 participants who reached the climb’s halfway point.
“That ‘people helping people’ mentality is so important to us. It's about getting involved with the community, among the people that we see daily,” said Joe Rutter, a Mountain America regional manager.
“Everyone has either someone they know that has lost the battle or is continuing to fight or defeat cancer. So, to know that they have been supportive, I feel super valued, honestly,” said Shirley.
He shared that although he may have reached the event's finish line, a longer journey to honor his father still lies ahead.
“This is definitely not the end,” he said. “This is kind of the start; it's to bring the awareness for us to continue to fight.”
To donate or volunteer in the American Cancer Society’s fundraiser and events, visit cancer.org.
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