Climb Dates: February 7–17, 2026

🧗‍♂️ Why I Climbed (and Why I’m Still Fighting)

In February 2026, I joined an incredible group of friends—The Kili Kurers—to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in support of Blood Cancer United (formerly The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society).

This cause is deeply personal. Several people close to me have battled blood cancers, but one story in particular has left a permanent mark on me and our team. My fellow Kili Kurer and co-captain, Charles Arnold, has walked alongside his wife, Kate, since her lymphoma diagnosis in 2008. That moment forever changed their lives.

During our climb, we received the heartbreaking news that Kate passed away on February 16, 2026—our last day on the mountain. Even as she faced the long-term effects of her illness, Kate lived with incredible strength, resilience, and grace. Losing her while we were literally on the mountain for this cause brought the reality of blood cancer painfully close and made our mission feel even more urgent.

In honor of Kate, and in support of families like the Arnolds, I’ve already raised over $30,000—and I’m now pushing toward a new goal of $35,000 to help fund life-saving research, support patients and caregivers, and move us closer to a world without blood cancer.

💉 Why It Matters

Thanks to donor support, survival rates for many blood cancers have doubled or even quadrupled in recent years. Blood Cancer United–funded therapies are now helping people with other cancers—and even diseases like MS, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes.

Your support fuels more than research. It powers hope, advocacy, education, and direct patient care.

💪 How You Can Help

This climb was my way of taking action—but the work doesn’t end at the summit. Over 8 grueling days on the mountain, all 10 of our team members reached the summit at 19,341 ft. Standing there, knowing we were climbing for people like Kate and Charles, was powerful—and a reminder that we still have a long way to go in the fight against blood cancer.

Your support—no matter the amount—truly makes a difference. Together, we’re not just climbing a mountain. We’re moving one.

All donations are tax-deductible and go directly to Blood Cancer United.

Thank you for being part of this journey, for honoring Kate’s memory, and for standing with everyone affected by blood cancer.

Let’s kure this—together.

— Shank Iyer

Proud member of The Kili Kurers

🌍 The Kili Kurers – Kuring Blood Cancer from the Roof of Africa

Climb Date: February 7-17, 2026

🧗‍♂️ Why I’m Climbing

In February 2026, I’ll be joining an incredible group of friends—The Kili Kurers—to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in support of Blood Cancer United (formerly The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society).

This cause is deeply personal. Several people close to me have battled blood cancers, but one story in particular has left a lasting impact on me and our team. My fellow Kili Kurer and co-captain, Charles Arnold, has walked alongside his wife, Kate, since her lymphoma diagnosis in 2008. That moment forever changed their lives.

Kate continues to live with the long-term effects of her illness—and I’m truly inspired by the strength, resilience, and grace she demonstrates every single day. Her story reminds me that the fight against blood cancer doesn’t end with remission. It’s a lifelong journey—and one that deserves our full support.

That’s why I’ve set a personal goal to raise $19,341 to help fund life-saving research, support families like the Arnolds, and work toward a world without blood cancer.

💉Why It Matters

Thanks to donor support, survival rates for many blood cancers have doubled or even quadrupled in recent years. LLS-funded therapies are also now helping people with other cancers—and even diseases like MS, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes.

Your support fuels more than research. It powers hope, advocacy, education, and direct patient care.

💪 How You Can Help

This climb is my way of taking action.

Every step I take up Kilimanjaro is a step toward a world without blood cancer. I’ll be training hard, hiking high, and sharing updates from the trail (yes, even at 19,341 ft of altitude!) to show what’s possible when passion meets purpose.

Your support—no matter the amount—truly makes a difference. Together, we’re not just climbing a mountain. We’re moving one.

All donations are tax-deductible and go directly to Blood Cancer United.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Let’s kure this—together.

— Shank Iyer

Proud member of The Kili Kurers

For more information about LLS, please visit lls.org