Prayer Flags to fly on Mt. Kilimanjaro

(Birmingham, AL). In September and October of this year (2003), five Alabama women will climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa to raise awareness about, and money for, breast cancer issues. They will also carry and fly hundreds of prayer flags during their 15 day expedition.

The climbers -- Stacey Gordon, Marilyn McCormick, Valerie Richardson, Jane Webb and Penny Wright -- selected the prayer flags as memorials and tributes to women who have experienced breast cancer and cannot climb the mountain physically, but join them in spirit. "At 19,340 feet above sea level, Mt. Kilimanjaro is the largest free-standing mountain in the world," says Madeline Harris, Chairman of Climb for the Cause team effort, "and flying prayer flags on it is dramatically symbolic." Not a climber herself, Mrs. Harris bought the first flag and plans to place her flag, if it returns from the mountain, in a shadow box in the clinic she coordinates to honor and encourage her patients and their families.

The prayer flags may be flown at each of the seven camps on Mt. Kilimanjaro, and some may even make it to the summit. "We cannot be certain about weather challenges, repackaging flags after they have been flown, or even shipping them half a world away, " says John LaRussa, leader of the expedition, "but we hope to bring many of them back with us to the States."

Prayer flags have pink ribbons on a field of white with ample room to add the name of a loved one, a prayer, a poem or suitable sentiment. Flags are $100 each and proceeds go to charity. For more information or to reserve a prayer flag, contact any climber, call 205-682-6306 or email climbforthecause@aol.com.