The Climb Back from Cancer Program™

Introducing the Revolutionary New Individualized Physical Activity Program
that could be the Key to Reducing Chronic Fatigue

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If you do, please attribute it as follows:

© 2004 Alan Hobson, Mt. Everest Climber & Summiteer,
Cancer Survivor, Protocol Co-Creator

Many Thanks!

The Challenge of Fatigue

• 75% of cancer patients experience fatigue during their illness
• More than half report that they feel extremely fatigued almost daily
• The challenge of fatigue is more debilitating than pain and nausea
• It is more devastating than loss of mobility, income or even self-esteem
• It can continue to plague survivors long after treatment is completed
• Because of fatigue, these survivors may be unable to earn a living, meet their mortgage payments, pay their bills, play with their children or grandchildren, or even be a supportive friend
• They may be breathing, but they are not actually living
• Everyone from children through seniors are affected
• Because of fatigue, survivors can become financially destitute, physically isolated and deeply depressed. The human cost is catastrophic
• The economic one in terms of lost income and productivity, absenteeism and the financial burden placed on government is equally so
• So is the burden on private industry
• Every year, North American insurance companies pay out hundreds of millions of dollars in short and long-term disability insurance claims to support these survivors
• As we continue to search for the all-important cure for cancer, millions of survivors struggle daily to climb back from the disease
• Because two of every three people who are diagnosed with cancer now survive it, the challenge of chronic fatigue grows daily
• As the tens of millions of Baby Boomers approach retirement, and the incidence of cancer increases with age, the number of cancer survivors is exploding
• The challenge of chronic fatigue now increases every 7 seconds – as someone in North America turns 50
  

The Discovery
A team of leading oncologists, psychologists and exercise physiologists at the University of Calgary and the Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Calgary, Alberta believe they may have discovered a way to help millions of cancer survivors get their lives back. Based on my experiences with mild individualized physical activity after a blood cell transplant for acute leukemia, the investigators are developing The Climb Back from Cancer Protocol™ to help patients and survivors climb back to better lives.

The Method
The team hand picked 12 exhausted survivors of blood cell and bone marrow transplants, traditionally those who experience the most significant levels of chronic fatigue. With mild individualized aerobic activity such as moderate walking, cycling, swimming or hiking three times a week for just 20 minutes, researchers unearthed some dramatic findings.

The Results
After only 12 weeks of activity, participants were able to:

• Regain the Energy Levels of the Normal Adult Population
• Reduce Anxiety, Anger and Depression by 65 Percent

These findings are unprecedented in the history of cancer recovery research for survivors of blood cell and bone marrow transplants. They could represent one of the biggest sources of hope for survivors of all types of cancers and cancer treatment.

The Next Step
I have established The Climb Back from Cancer Foundation and am currently raising the capital to support Phase II of this ground-breaking initiative. It is to involve 100 survivors of colorectal cancer. Over a period of three years, they are to be put on the same Climb Back from Cancer Protocol™ and compared to other survivors using the more generalized physical activity program in use today. Researchers hope to further prove the superiority of The Climb Back from Cancer Protocol™.

The Opportunity
To complete Phase II of the study, an estimated $500,000 ($CDN) is required over the next three years. The purpose of The Climb Back from Cancer Foundation is to help finance this historic research initiative. 

Donations may be made to the study by making checks/cheques payable to:

The Potential
If The Climb Back from Cancer Protocol continues to prove effective for survivors of other types of cancer, it is to be introduced worldwide by certified Climb Back from Cancer Coaches through virtual Climb Back from Cancer Centers. Thus, any contributions made today could positively affect the world tomorrow.

The Goal
The Climb Back from Cancer Foundation’s goal is to help millions of patients, survivors and caregivers around the globe climb back to better lives.