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Mountains

Summits for Sickle Cell

September 24-28 | Salida, Colorado

This inaugural benefit event for Sickle Forward will take place over four unforgettable days in the breathtakingly beautiful Rocky Mountains of Colorado. A group of passionate individuals will participate in a wonderful adventure with powerful purpose:

  • Summit three mountain peaks >14k

  • Build connections that drive real change

  • Transform lives through expanded sickle cell care in Africa

 

The Challenge:
Assault of the Collegiate Peaks

The challenge will include:
 

Ptarmigan Lake Trail (12,232ft)- (acclimatization day); 6.1 miles, 1,500ft of elevation gain

Optional scramble to the summit of Jones Mountain (13,104ft) with beautiful views over Ptarmigan Lake.

 

Mt. Elbert, the tallest mountain in Colorado at a height of 14,433ft! The summit will give us unlimited views of the Sawatch Range and neighboring Mt. Massive (the 2nd tallest mountain in CO).  The stats for this day will be 10 miles and 4500ft of elevation gain.

 

Mt. Shavano, standing tall at 14,158ft. This will be a long day as we will be attempting to reach the summits of Mt. Shavano as well as neighboring Mt. Tabegauche (14,075).  The stats for this double summit day will be 11.3 miles and 5,275ft of elevation gain.

The Impact:
$500,000+ to Advance Sickle Cell Disease
Screening and Treatment in Africa

This year’s honorary participants, Victoria Gray and Tesha Samuels, will join Jimi Olaghere in sharing stories of inspiration from their lived experience - sure to make deep impact on our collective mission.

Victoria Gray, a pioneering sickle cell warrior and the first patient to receive CRISPR gene-editing therapy for sickle cell disease in 2019.

Tesha Samuels, founder and president of Journey to ExSCellence and recipient of an autologous gene therapy transplant.

Jimi Olaghere, sickle cell warrior, global advocate and recipient of the transformative Casgevy gene therapy.

Space is limited—don’t miss your chance to be part of this incredible journey. ​​​​

Contact alan@sickleforward.com for information on joining the team​

​The ultimate success of the 2025 Summits for Sickle Cell benefit event can be greatly advanced through the support of corporate sponsors and individual donors! If you are interested in fueling this grassroots campaign and helping us continue to increase global awareness of the plight of those affected by SCD, we encourage you to consider making a donation. 

Hiking Path
Hiking Boots

Set the Pace

Our team of participants will train their bodies for the physical and mental rigors of high altitude. They have embarked on the challenge to reach over a collective $500,000 in funding for diagnosis and treatment of sickle cell disease in Africa. 

Day 0_TTfor SF2024_19.jpg

Fuel the Climb

Sickle cell disease is the most common inherited disorder of the red blood cell, affecting over 6 million people around the world.  SCD is a chronic, painful, debilitating illness that disproportionally affects individuals from malaria endemic parts of the world.  Its highest rate of prevalence is in sub-Saharan Africa.

Hiking

Reach the Summit

While recent advancements in research and treatment in the US and Europe have been promising, SCD continues to be a 'forgotten' illness for individuals living in the global regions where resources are limited. Your donation to the 2025 Summits for Sickle Cell event will help us reach our summit goal in support of expanding rapid diagnosis and basic treatment of SCD in Africa!

Reach out for more information

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© 2025 by Sickle Forward

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