HALIFAX – Climbers will get to test their endurance in Halifax on Sunday in an effort to raise funds for a good cause.
‘Virtual Everest’ will be holding its second annual event on Citadel Hill to raise money for The Arthritis Society.
The first event last year attracted 135 people and raised $16,000.
“We were really, really happy with that for a first year event,” said Adam Richardson, a spokesman for the Maritimes region of The Arthritis Society.
He said one in four Nova Scotians lives with arthritis.
“The money goes to research, advocacy efforts, and of course educational programs and services which we offer around the province.”
Participants will run 110 metres uphill and then come back down, which doesn’t seem too difficult — except they’ll do it 80 times, which is roughly the equivalent distance to climbing Mount Everest.
“These laps can be done running, walking, they can be split up among team members from two to eight,” said Richardson, “You can do intervals, or if you’re really brave you can do all 80 running or walking yourself.”
Sean Lewis is getting ready for the big climb. He’s been living with rheumatoid arthritis since he was 28, and says he has come a long way since being diagnosed.
“At that time it was challenging to open a door, to turn a door knob. It was challenging to walk up and down stairs without pain,” he said. “Now, because of early diagnoses and a good treatment plan, I can live somewhat of a normal lifestyle.”
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He said people should get a treatment plan in place before damage from the disease “really does a job that can’t be reversed.”
Lewis says medication helps to decrease the pain and swelling and allows him to keep an active lifestyle.
“I try to stay active. I play hockey. I wouldn’t call myself a runner, but I try and do a little running here and there.”
Lewis will be running 10 laps as part of an eight-member team.
The event starts at 9 a.m. on Sunday, and people can enter a team up until an hour before it gets underway
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