Volume 2 . Issue 9 .

Winter 2000-01
Mt. Blanc . BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Expedition Inspiration sponsored its first climb up Mt. Blanc
in August this year. This beautiful mountain is the highest in western . Linda Packer, President
. Richard Parrish, Vice President
Europe at 15,767’. Our tribute flags were proudly flown from the summit. . Robert Kaplan,PhD,
A very special thanks to Jim Mathis, of Alexandria, VA for his great . Treasurer
. Heidi Mickelson, Secretary
enthusiasm and successful fund-raising efforts on behalf of Expedition . Laurie Barrera
Inspiration. . Ronald V. Dorn, MD
.
. KarynRoger Evans
Mt. Whitney Expedition Inspiration sponsored its 4th annual climb . Blackmore-Hagy
up Mt. Whitney at 14,497’, the highest peak in the lower 48 states. The climbers endured unseason- .. Carol Harlig
Brenda Himelfarb Committed to raising awareness and funds to aid in the eradication of breast cancer
able rain, hail, snow and more rain, but were able to summit on Thursday, August 31st. Special thanks . Kathy Jones
to our guides, Kurt Wedburg and Zoe Amos, of Sierra Mountaineering, for their encouragement and .
leadership through less than ideal conditions. This international climbing team included Sheree .
. Kathi Marshall
Deborah Van Dyke King
Johnson and Edward Wachtman of Vancouver, British Columbia, Richard Parrish of Boise, Idaho . Peter Whittaker
a member of the Expedition Inspiration Board of Directors, and Carol O’Loughlin, who is Program .
. Michele Zousmer
This space was usually reserved for Laura Evans. It was her
space— as founder and president of Expedition Inspiration— to
Manager for Expedition Inspiration. Many tribute flags were proudly flown from the summit of Mt. .
. MEDICAL BOARD spread her words of encouragement and support to those who
Whitney. Thank you to all for your fund-raising efforts to further the fight against breast cancer. . Ronald V. Dorn, MD, Chairman suffer, in any way, from breast cancer.
. Mountain States Tumor Institute Laura’s vision was to find a cure for breast cancer. Through
“Bluegrass on the Gr een” .
Event Dates for 2001 Kim Nunez of Reno, Nevada and ..
Julie Gralow, MD
University of Washington
international expeditions with local take-a-hikes, Laura led the way
and never, ever gave up.
Expedition Inspiration has a full slate of events for 2001. Tracy Young from Tacoma, .
And we, the Board of Directors of Expedition Inspiration, won’t
organized a bluegrass .
Kathleen Grant, MD
Washington
Mark your calendar so you don’t miss any of our exciting trips.
festival in Tacoma September .
. California Pacific Medical Center ever give up either.
So, until there’s a cure, there will definitely be a climb. And
Italy Coast to Coast May 11-23 9th and raised over $5,000 for . John Lung, MD
Appalachian Trail Adventure May 20-26 Expedition Inspiration. Nunez is a . . Mountain States Tumor Institute we hope you will help us reach new heights.
Massachusetts/Vermont breast cancer survivor and a mem- . Robert E. Vestal, MD
Mt. Rainier June 14-17 ber of EI’s first Mt. Whitney team. .
. SCIENCE ADVISOR
Laura Evans Memorial Climb
Mt. Blanc Climb
Mt. Whitney Climb
July 9-15
August 26-31
Keep your eye on our website for .
next year’s event. Many thanks to .
Kim Nunez and Tracy Young! .
Samuel Hellman, MD
University of Chicago
u Laura Evans u
Appalachian Trail Adventure September 23-29 .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PLEASE HELP US! Laura Evans, a breast cancer survivor and founder of
Virginia . Let us know if your
The Expedition Inspiration Fund for Breast Cancer Research is a registered
Expedition Inspiration, an organization dedicated to raising
1949-2000
We are very excited to offer our first Appalachian Trail . address is correct, if
501(c)(3) public trust foundation committed to raising funds and awareness
to aid in the eradication of breast cancer while promoting the health and well
. you received dupli-
being of those affected by the disease. It is our mission to continue to bring funds for breast cancer research, died of an unrelated brain life together that included living, at various times, in
hikes in 2001. Call our office or visit our br east cancer. . Updates
imminent researchers and advocates together until we have found a cure for
cate copies of the tumor at her home in Ketchum, Idaho on Tuesday, October 17 Switzerland, Los Angeles, Denver, Boston, San Francisco
website for more information. . add a friend. or want to
at age 51. and Sun Valley. While pursuing her professional career in
. or e-mail us. Thanks!
Mail, fax
. clothing design over the next twenty years, Laura worked

Happy Holidays! Laura Steele was born in Fulton, Missouri on January 8,

1949. She was the second of four children of Professor
Charles Steele and Eleanor Steele. Laura was raised in
Granville, Ohio and graduated from Granville High School
in 1967. Laura was awarded a scholarship to Stephens
College in Columbia,
Missouri where she
earned a Bachelor of
Fine Arts degree in
Fashion Design coupled
with a minor in French.
While a student at
Stephens, she met her
future husband, Roger
Evans.
Laura and Roger were
married in 1971 and
began an adventurous
for some of America’s leading skiwear and sportswear
companies. In addition to her design talents, Laura also
expressed her lifelong interest in art through sketching,
leaded glass and photography.
In 1989, Laura was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer
and underwent a bone marrow transplant resulting in an
inspiring recovery from this disease. As a response to her
survival and her return to the mountain climbing she so
loved, Laura set aside her career in clothing design and
founded Expedition Inspiration. The successful climb
of Argentina’s Mt. Aconcagua (22,841’), the highest
mountain in the western hemisphere, was featured in a PBS
New Explorers documentary. This team of 17 courageous
women, co-led by Evans and Peter Whittaker of Rainier
Mountaineering, demonstrated the strength and determina-
tion of breast cancer survivors. The climb raised $2 million
for medical research. Laura and her climbing team were
honored at the White House in a private reception hosted

640 North Main . Box 4289 . Ketchum, Idaho 83340 . Tel 208 726-6456 . Fax 208 725-2091 . E Mail ei@expeditioninspiration.org
www.expeditioninspiration.org

by Hillary Rodham Clinton, and at a private reception at the
United States Supreme Court, hosted by Justice Sandra Day
O’Connor, a fellow survivor of breast cancer. Subsequently,
Laura was selected to carry the Olympic torch on its journey to
the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. She was also appointed
to serve on the U.S. Department of
Defense Commission awarding research
funding to promising breast cancer
research projects nationwide. In 1995,
Laura was further honored by her alma
mater, Stephens College, as their
“National Alumnae of the Year” and
delivered the college’s commencement
address.
In 1996, Laura’s personally written,
inspiring story of her recovery, “The
Climb Of My Life,” was published by
Harper Collins and became a cherished
survival handbook for countless women
battling breast cancer. The book was
selected as a finalist in the 1997 Books
for Better Living Awards presented in
New York City.
Laura continued to lead the Expedition
Inspiration Fund for Breast Cancer
Research in its dedicated pursuit for a
cure for breast cancer. EI’s annual symposium of eminent
breast cancer researchers has become a renowned national
conference promising to deliver earlier and better treatment
to overcome this dreadful disease. Laura continued to carry
her message across America as a much-requested motivational
speaker. In 1997, Laura was elected a member of the illustrious
Explorer’s Club of New York City.
Throughout her many accomplishments, non-profit work and
climbing activities, Laura’s boundless passion for life and
infectious enthusiasm have made her an inspiring example
and endeared her to many devoted friends. She always
delighted in making others happier and more fulfilled.
Her greatest personal joys
included the sense of peace
and renewal she experienced
in the high mountains of dis-
tant continents or near her
beloved home in Idaho,
day hiking on the numerous
trails around Sun Valley.
She loved opportunities to
practice her fluent French
and always glowed at the
opportunity to entertain
friends and family. In her
quiet, reflective moments,
Laura enjoyed good books
www.expeditioninspiration.org
and writing in her ever-present journal.
Laura will be best remembered by friends and family for her
fun-loving nature, always ready smile, unfailing positive
outlook, boundless energy, strength, intelligence, humor,
generosity and, of course, her zeal to
make the most of her second chance at
life. Laura wants all women with
breast cancer to know that the cancer
that claimed her was separate and
unrelated to her earlier bout with
breast cancer, which she conquered.
She would tell those women to go
forward with courage, faith and the
knowledge that you, too, can overcome
breast cancer . In honor of her wishes,
Laura’s ashes will be released upon the
summit of Mt. Rainier, where her fervor
for climbing was born.
Laura Evans is survived by her loving
husband, Roger, of Ketchum, Idaho; her
mother, Eleanor Williams and her
sister Martha Lutz, both of Carlisle,
Pennsylvania; her sister Elizabeth
Norby of Morrison, Colorado; and her
brother Jeffrey Steele, of Madison,
Wisconsin. In lieu of flowers, the family
honors Laura’s wishes by requesting any contributions in
tribute to Laura’s life are made either to the Expedition
Inspiration Fund or the Hospice of the Wood River Valley.
A memorial service for Laura was held on Sunday, October 29
at 2 p.m. at the Limelight Room in Sun Valley, Idaho.
NEW Board Members
The Expedition Inspiration Fund for Breast Cancer Research is pleased to
announce the addition of six new board members:
Laurie Barrera, Boise, Idaho, has chaired the Boise Take-A-Hike for three years
and has worked closely with EI on other fund-raising events. Roger Evans,
Ketchum, Idaho, Laura Evans’ husband, brings his business expertise, as well as
Laura’s vision, to the organization. Brenda Himelfarb, Greenwich, Connecticut
handles EI’s public relations and chaired the Los Angeles Take-A-Hike for three
years before moving east. Kathy Jones, Sun Valley, Idaho, joins the board with
much non-profit experience. This Sun Valley resident was on the Community
Board Members Hike in Sun Valley, Idaho
Library Board for nine years and served as President of the Ballet Foundation
Deborah Van Dyke King, Karyn Blackmore-Hagy,
Laurie Bar rera & Brenda Himelfarb. Board for several years. Deborah Van Dyke King, Fredonia, Wisconsin, a breast
cancer survivor, is an avid mountaineer who was on the EI Mt. Kilimanjaro climbing
team. Michelle Zousmer, Rancho Santa Fe, California, also an ardent adventurer, climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Whitney with
EI. She rejoins the board after a year’s absence.
Expedition Inspiration is delighted to welcome these talented and committed new board members into the fold.
.........................................................
.
Executive Dir ector .
.
.
Katie Powell has been named Executive Director of the .
Expedition Inspiration Fund for Breast Cancer Research. . WHY WE DO IT…
.
“It was a natural transition for Katie to take over the reins,” says .
Linda Packer, President of the EI Board of Directors. “Expedition .
.
Inspiration will focus on Laura’s mission, and who knows better . October 27, 2000
than Katie to help lead the way? I thank her for her commitment.” ..
. EI Take-A-Hike
Originally from southern California, Katie has lived in Idaho for . 1158 26th St. #444
over 25 years. She was Laura’s executive assistant for six years . Santa Monica, CA 90403
.
and is familiar with all aspects of the organization. .
Working with Katie will be Carol O’Loughlin. Carol, who has a .
. Hello to everyone at Expedition Inspiration…
marketing and sales background, will serve as Programs Manager. . …I wanted to thank all of you for your marvelous contri-
. butions to this organization. Before I saw the hike brochure at
.
Laurita Crabtree has recently joined the EI team. Her vast . a local eatery, I knew nothing about EI. I just thought it would
experience with non-profit organizations will truly be an asset. .. be a fun way to lend a small hand to the cause I felt I should
. know and care more about. But that day, I was met by
. thousands of people; survivors, their loved ones who helped
. and supported them through their fight, and all the people
Take-A-Hike Dates for 2001 .
. who have made it their mission to fight this disease. And I was
.
Mark your calendars and save these dates! . finorever changed, and committed to becoming more involved
Tucson tentatively scheduled for April . this crusade.
. So, now the fruits of your labor are evident. It is working.
Seattle May 6 . People like me are learning how important becoming active in
Boston June 2 or 9 . the fight against breast cancer is. And I look forward to all the
.
Boise October 6 .
Los Angeles October 13 . things I can do with and for this team in the future.
San Francisco October . Thanks again, and God Bless,
.
(date to be announced)
.
Please check out our website for date confirmations. .
.
HELP! We need a chairperson for our Tucson event. .
. Helena Lamb
Give us a call 208-726-6456 if you can lend a hand. .
.
www.expeditioninspiration.org