Climb Every Mountain In Life

By: Sean Swarner

I'm actually the first (and only) cancer survivor to summit the world's highest mountain... Mt. Everest. When I was only 13, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease and given three months to live. When I was 15, I was diagnosed with Askin's Sarcoma. The prognosis was much worse as the doctors gave me only two weeks to live. Again, I survived.

Being the only person in the world to have ever had these two cancers, I really felt I should share my story to help motivate others and influence lives. On May 16th, 2002 at 9:32am, I became the first cancer survivor to summit Mt. Everest.

Since then, I have been lucky enough to reach the summits of three more of the world's seven highest peaks and have spoken internationally about my life and adventures to countless people and organizations. On the summit of Everest I brought a flag adorned with names of people who have been affected by cancer and left it on the top of the world forever commemorating the struggle of cancer patients worldwide.

I did the same to the highest point in Africa, Europe and just recently returned from 23,000-foot Aconcagua in South America! My ultimate goal is to climb the highest mountain on each continent AND trek to the North and South poles.

I am covering the globe with inspiration. There are plans for live chat sessions during the expeditions as well as TV spots and live summit bids from a number of the mountains! The reason for these expeditions is to inspire those affected by cancer (as well as anyone with a pulse!) to dream big and never give up.

Sean Swarner
seanswarner.com
The CancerClimber Association
www.cancerclimber.org
1st Cancer Survivor/Patient to Summit Everest
International Inspirational Speaker
Chief Spokesperson, International Spirit of Life Foundation

RIP Steve Jobs: May your soul find peace while your vision lives on

I am not a fan of Apple products. In fact, I have never used an Apple product till date. Though I would love to buy an iPhone or an iPad some day; may be even an Apple Computer too; but they haven't yet managed to tempt me enough to put them above my other priorities. But, I do admire the Apple Journey – Steve Jobs' Journey.

I do not know anything about his personal life. Never cared to read about it too either. But for me, he was a man who dared to dream big and then worked hard to make that dream a reality. He had a vision and he had the courage to realize the same. He was the one man who revolutionized the way we listen to music today, or work on computers, or even the way we use our phones – or should I rather say what all we can do with our phones. There have been many followers. Some even claim to have surpassed the iPhone or at least have given it a run for its money; but even to this day an iPhone is an iPhone. It's not a phone, it's an iPhone. You know what I mean? It's a class apart.

And of course, there is iCloud. It's a technology we couldn't have imagined 5 years ago. But, five years down the line, it's here. Thanks to Apple. Sorry, thanks to Steve Jobs' Apple. For no matter what, irrespective of how many people take over the executive or managerial responsibilities at Apple, irrespective of how many Tim Cook's succeed the coveted (am I allowed to call it) Throne; Apple will continue to be Steve Jobs' baby. His soul continues to live in Apple.

Steve Jobs was a fighter. Only a true fighter can start from an as humble a beginning and make it as large as Apple today. The fact that obituaries are pouring in from any nook and corner of the world is enough to realize what an impact he made on the lives of people all over. He was an inspiration. He fought his battle with life. After every blow, he would bounce back and stand up in front of the world with his new offering. Not only did the people rave about his products, but also about his strength and determination not to give up. He definitely inspired millions of people who are fighting grave sicknesses or any other sort of problems for that matter. Let's just hope he continues to inspire people long after he has gone.

A friend of mine tweeted a few days back, "‎3 apples changed the world, 1st one seduced Eve, 2nd fell on Newton and the 3rd was offered to the world half bitten by one Steve Jobs..." It's crazily funny, but very aptly true. Steve Jobs' Apple has indeed changed the world.