DENVER - Sean Swarner's mantra is "keep climbing." The 35-year-old cancer survivor just got back from Africa where he climbed Mount Kilimanjaro for the fourth time.
"I cry every time," he said. "It's not an easy mountain." Reaching the summit is quite an accomplishment, especially considering Sean's story. He was diagnosed with Advanced Stage IV Hodgkin's Lymphoma at age 13, and given only months to live.
He fought back, and was in remission by age 16. But then he was dealt another blow. Doctors found a completely different form of cancer.
Swarner was diagnosed with Askin's Sarcoma, and given just two weeks to live. Again he fought hard, and was victorious. Wanting to give hope to others in that situation, Sean and his brother founded the Cancer Climbers Association.
Their goal is to motivate others through adventure, and inspirational stories. Sean takes a group to Mount Kilimanjaro every year.
The frigid temperatures and lack of oxygen can't stop this group. "Cancer survivors are the real climbers in life," Swarner added.
He uses Kilimanjaro as a 19,000 foot platform to scream "hope!"
"No matter what obstacle is in your life, always keep moving forward, always keep moving up, and always keep climbing," Swarner said.
"I cry every time," he said. "It's not an easy mountain." Reaching the summit is quite an accomplishment, especially considering Sean's story. He was diagnosed with Advanced Stage IV Hodgkin's Lymphoma at age 13, and given only months to live.
He fought back, and was in remission by age 16. But then he was dealt another blow. Doctors found a completely different form of cancer.
Swarner was diagnosed with Askin's Sarcoma, and given just two weeks to live. Again he fought hard, and was victorious. Wanting to give hope to others in that situation, Sean and his brother founded the Cancer Climbers Association.
Their goal is to motivate others through adventure, and inspirational stories. Sean takes a group to Mount Kilimanjaro every year.
The frigid temperatures and lack of oxygen can't stop this group. "Cancer survivors are the real climbers in life," Swarner added.
He uses Kilimanjaro as a 19,000 foot platform to scream "hope!"
"No matter what obstacle is in your life, always keep moving forward, always keep moving up, and always keep climbing," Swarner said.
