www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, August 28, 2015 | 10 Resident aims to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro for Wellspring by Julia Le Oakville Beaver Staff Climbing a mountain -- and the highest mountain in Africa at that -- is no easy feat. The seven-day trek through five different climatic zones to reach the Uhuru Summit of Mount Kilimanjaro will take endurance and perseverance. But when Oakville resident Louise BransFitzgibbon thinks about the 19,340-foot climb she'll be attempting next month, she's not thinking about how challenging it might be. Instead, her mind turns to the nearly two years her father spent battling an aggressive form of colon cancer, she told the Oakville Beaver. "People who are battling cancer are climbing a mountain every day in their fight," said the 38-year-old mother of two schoolaged children. "So, why not try and push my boundaries a little bit?" Brans-Fitzgibbon, who has been training on Halton trails and parks since the spring, will leave for her trip, arranged by Total Balance's Mountain Climbing Adventures, and will be joined by two of her friends -- Oakville resident Selena McLeod, who is raising money for McMaster Children's Hospital, and Burlington resident Jane Fowler. They'll begin the hike on Sept. 13, with stops along the way to see the mountain's Louis Brans-Fitzgibbon will be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro next month in honour of her father, Alan Brans. | submitted photo features before hopefully arriving at the Uhuru Summit at 19,340 feet. The final descent will take place Sept. 19. Brans-Fitzgibbon says her motivation is honouring the memory of her father, Alan Brans, a long-time Oakville resident who died two and a half years ago after his battle with cancer. She is also hoping to get support from the community to help her raise funds for the local Wellspring, an organization that helped her father and family get through difficult days. "Wellspring assisted my dad while he was living with his cancer by providing personal training, a variety of seminars, yoga and reiki," she said of the community-based support centre that offers support to people living with cancer and their families. "These are all free for the patients and their family members. We were able to attend yoga together in a comfortable environment for my dad." Her fundraising goal is $19,340 -- equivalent to $1 for each step she would have to take to make it to the top. She said it will be the first time she's done anything of such magnitude and she's excited to show her kids that if you believe in something, you can do it at any age. "I've always wanted to do something like this and when my dad passed away, the one thing I took away from it was I don't want to wait to do things because you never know what's going to happen next," said BransFitzgibbon. To support Brans-Fitzgibbon in her efforts, visit bit.ly/1hIgQRF . Save the Date!! Friday, September 25, 2015 Doors open at 6:30pm at the Oakville Conference Centre Live Entertainment · Raffle · Silent & Live Auctions Martini Bar · Gourmet Dinner · Speaker · Dancing ALL INCLUSIVE!! Tickets $175.00 per person (Tax receipts issued for $75.00 each ticket) or $350.00 per couple For more information call (905) 634-2333 Plan to attend this unforgettable evening in support of the programs of BCSS. Breast Cancer Support Services helps women and families in our community living with breast and gynecologic cancers.