By Paul Boerger
The Breast Cancer Fund has dismissed Shirley Magnuson from the Climb Against the Odds climbing team that will ascend 14,162 foot Mount Shasta in July to raise funds for breast cancer awareness and education. BCF director of communications Shannon Coughlin said the reason for her dismissal “is a private matter between the Breast Cancer Fund and Shirley.” “We regret she won’t be part of the team,” Coughlin said, adding that BCF will not name another climber to take her place, but that the money Magnuson raised will go to Breast Cancer Services of Siskiyou County. Magnuson also declined to discuss the details of her dismissal, but said citizens should continue to support the Breast Cancer Fund. “Please support the Climb Against the Odds, now more than ever. My relationship with the Breast Cancer Fund Climb Against the Odds has shifted from being a climber and fundraiser to now being a cheerleader and fundraiser,” Magnuson said. “I may not be on the field, but I am still a part of the game. I love everything about this endeavor. We may never understand why this all happened, but just like breast cancer itself, it happened for a profoundly positive reason and someday I will understand.” Magnuson said despite her dismissal from the team, the experience has been a positive. “This kind of thing brings up a healing opportunity for everyone involved, whether or not they have had breast cancer themselves. So it is what it is, let's move on,” Magnuson said. “I do feel extremely pro
ud and happy for the way I have handled everything in the past six months. I have climbed more than one mountain every day since I made my commitment and I am still climbing in my own way.” For more information on the Climb Against the Odds or to donate visit the website at http://www.breastcancerfund. org/climb09/shirleym.Photo by Paul Boerger Shirley Magnuson, left, raised funds for the Climb Against the Odds earlier this year at a Red Hats event with last year’s local climber Hillie Crowfoot. Recently removed from the BCF team, Magnuson said, “it happened for a profoundly positive reason and someday I will understand.”
