Where it Began: Lila's Story

In 2014 Lila Javan, an alumni of TNT and a three-time AML survivor, was planning a solo trip to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. As she was about to book her flight, she was re-diagnosed with AML after being in remission for five years. During her months in the hospital her friends hung a picture of Kilimanjaro on her hospital room wall to keep her focused on her goal, get back into remission, and climb that mountain. The photo became a talking point for nurses, doctors, and visitors during her months at UCLA. She inspired many of these people to join her for the climb when—not if—she achieved remission. Knowing that the doctors and therapies she received were funded by LLS, Lila decided to use this as an opportunity to give back. She formed a team of climbers to train together and climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in January of 2017 with the goal of raising $1,000,000 for LLS.

Climb 2 Cure was added as a new program in April 2018.

Check out THIS video about Lila's dream to embark on the first Climb 2 Cure.