When Ben first learned that something suspicious had shown up on a preventative scan?and that it was likely lung cancer?his very first reaction was,

?I?m stubborn as hell, so I like to think that makes me hard to kill.?

That line stuck. It has been his mantra through surgery, recovery, and now as he begins chemo for H-FLAC, an extremely rare and aggressive form of lung cancer.

Ben is a father of two young boys in Bend, a mountaineer, and the host of The Athlete Dad podcast. Now he?s facing four cycles of intensive chemotherapy after a major lung surgery and a diagnosis no one sees coming.

As Ben steps into the hardest climb of his life, our community is rallying around him with a simple message:

HARD TO KILL.

Every shirt and sweatshirt purchased helps support Ben?s treatment costs. In addition to conventional oncology care, Ben is undergoing several functional oncology therapies that we pay for out-of-pocket?including high-dose Vitamin C infusions, mistletoe therapy, and an extensive supplement protocol to support his immune system, reduce inflammation, help him better tolerate chemo, and beat the 25-40% recurrence odds.

Any support directly helps us continue these therapies that cost us almost $5k/month out of pocket.

You can read more about the full plan here: https://www.bengibson.org/donate

We?re also launching a community movement called ?While He Can?t Climb, We Will ? The 10? Everest Challenge.? Throughout his treatment, friends, family, and supporters will collectively climb 290,290 feet, ten times the height of Mount Everest, in Ben?s honor.

Strength built in the everyday becomes endurance for the unthinkable. Thank you for helping us remember that he?s Hard To Kill.