Pinking outside the box: prof sets sights on new journey

By Jeff Green | Sept. 11, 2008

She’s at it again and this time her journey has taken on a whole new meaning.

Dr. TA Loeffler – Memorial’s resident mountaineer and a professor in the School of Human Kinetics and Recreation – will attempt to become the first Canadian woman to summit Mount Pumori.

Known as Mount Everest’s daughter, the 7,161-metre peak sits across the valley from the world’s highest mountain. She leaves later this month for the journey.

But this latest adventure has personal meaning for the well-known educator, who reached the top of Mount Kilimanjaro this past summer.

She’s set to raise awareness about breast cancer and funds for the Atlantic region of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

Every October since her mother, Denise, was diagnosed with breast cancer, Dr. Loeffler has run the CIBC Race for the Cure in her honour. This year, though, she’ll miss that event and instead don climbing boots and a soft-shell jacket rather than running shoes and a t-shirt.

“I’m dedicating this climb to my mother, a breast cancer survivor, and to all who have also had to make the mountainous journey through breast cancer,” she said. “By honouring those who’ve faced breast cancer, I hope to heighten awareness of breast cancer prevention, screening, and early detection.”

Dr. Loeffler hopes to raise $1 per metre of the peak – totaling $7,161. All of the money raised through the climb will go directly to the foundation.

To help kick-off her journey, Dr. Loeffler – who is on a non-teaching semester – is launching a unique fundraiser that will not only raise awareness about her expedition but also test her limits.

“I hate the colour pink,” she confessed. “Pink is a colour that sends shivers down my spine and the thought of dressing in pink is almost enough to send me screaming from the room. But pink symbolizes the fight against breast cancer and thus leads me to a very large challenge.”

For the week of Sept. 15-19, Dr. Loeffler will subject herself to “pink outside the box.”

Throughout the week, she will dress in any pink items that supporters who donate $20 provide and go about her regular workday.

“A pair of pink wings has already been donated,” she noted with a chuckle. “If total donations to the climb reach $3,581 – halfway to the goal – during that week, I will even dye my hair pink!”

It’s quite the challenge but Dr. Loeffler insisted it’s all for a very worthy cause.

Anybody who would like to donate to the cause or who would like to learn more information can visit her website.

Dr. Loeffler leaves for Pumori: A Climb for Breast Cancer Awareness on Sept. 29, and begins her trek towards base camp on Oct. 4.


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