My cousin, Mary Kuper, is one of the funniest, sharpest, and kindest people I know. Her energy is absolutely infectious; she lights up every room she walks into.

On June 14th, Mary was diagnosed with stage 1B breast cancer. She’s only 30. As you can imagine, receiving this news has been, to put it mildly, a whirlwind of hell. But in true Mary form, she’s facing this life-altering chapter with humor, bravery, and determination.

In Mary’s honor, Ben and I are taking on a Virtual Everest: climbing 29,029 feet on Zwift to raise funds for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). BCRF runs groundbreaking studies that lead to new treatments and prevention strategies for cancer. For many young survivors, BCRF has been more than just a research organization; it’s been a source of strength, connection, and hope. Their work funds groundbreaking studies while also supporting the emotional and mental challenges of survivorship. The organization has been a crucial touchstone in Mary's recovery.

Our goal is to raise $5K+ in Mary’s name to support BCRF's mission. Please consider donating whatever you can; every dollar truly makes a difference. Extra credit for all of you out there who want to join us for part (or maybe all?) of our 12+ hours of virtual climbing on December 29th. (We’ll be in good company! It’s vEveresting Day!) We plan to have a Discord running throughout the ride to stay connected, and yes, we’re absolutely taking music recommendations.