focusinterview.
CLIMB ABOVE
Cancer DR BAERIN HOUGHTON IS A LOCAL MEDICAL ONCOLOGIST AND RESPIRATORY PHYSICIAN. DESPITE A BUSY CAREER AND HECTIC FAMILY LIFE, BAERIN HAS HIS SIGHTS SET ON RAISING FUNDS FOR THE HASTINGS CANCER TRUST. AND THIS HARDWORKING DOCTOR HASN’T CHOSEN THE
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EASY PATH … HIS FUNDRAISING EVENT, “CLIMB ABOVE CANCER”, WILL LITERALLY BE A MAJOR CLIMB …
i Baerin. Please introduce yourself to our readers ... I moved to Port Macquarie from Sydney four years ago to work at Port Macquarie Base Hospital and the North Coast Cancer Institute. I am a Specialist Physician trained in both Medical Oncology and Respiratory Medicine. I have consulting rooms on Lake Road, but am in the process of moving to Highfields Circuit. You’re planning a very special climb to help raise both awareness of and funds for cancer in September. Who will be climbing with you, what mountain will you be scaling - and how far is the climb to the summit? I will be attempting to summit The Grand Teton on September 10th. This mountain borders the majestic Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, USA. The mountain is 4,200 m high, rising from the wilderness below. As I am a novice climber, I’ll be employing the expertise of Jackson Hole Mountain Guides. How did you come up with this idea? I first read about The Grand Teton onboard a flight to the USA to propose to my wife, Jo. Twelve years on, we are delighted to be living in beautiful Port Macquarie with our three children. I am turning 40 in September and whilst pondering past, present and future journeys, I recalled the story of The Grand Teton. This recollection was triggered upon hearing a patient describe his journey through cancer therapy "like climbing a mountain - once you make it to the top you are only halfway there". I am inspired by people every day in my work. Their journeys have inspired me to attempt the summit of The Grand Teton. With my Climb
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greater port macquarie focus.
Above Cancer, I will be raising money to help they had me completing the Port Macquarie Runsupport cancer patients and their families locally ning Festival 10 km in March this year in under though the Hastings Cancer Trust. 47 minutes, weighing about 70 kg! What conditions are you expecting will greet To keep the momentum going for the Climb you on the climb? Above Cancer, I set myself the challenge of the I have never climbed a mountain before. This is Macleay Valley 1/2 Marathon on June 7. I was going to be a real physical and mental challenge extremely happy with 1 hour 39 minutes for me. I’ll spend a couple of days getfor the 21 km through beautiful ting to the base camp, practicing South West Rocks. Now it’s ropes skills on the way. time to work on upper ed All money is rais On the day of the summit body strength and head to d by volunteers an attempt, I’ll leave camp at the indoor rock climbing tration with no adminis ised 2am. The Grand Teton is centre. ra costs, every ce nt graded moderate to difficult How will funds raised er goes to help canc r ei and involves technical multibe used to benefit th d patients an , all tly an rt po pitch roped climbing. cancer patients/cancer Im . rs care in our The altitude and cold research? funds raised stay local area! ” mountain air will slow my All funds raised through movements if the 2,000 m exClimb Above Cancer go directposed sheer drops don’t paralyse me ly to the Hastings Cancer Trust. entirely! I hope climbing in the pre-dawn The Hastings Cancer Trust is a local darkness will make it easier on the vertigo … non-profit organisation which allocates What type of/how much training have you funding to assist our cancer services provide been doing to prepare for the climb? state-of-the-art treatment for people in the HastI knew I would have to get in better shape to ings region who are battling cancer. To date, the stand a chance at reaching the summit. Family Hastings Cancer Trust has allocated more than and working as doctor will always come first for $666,500 to numerous worthy projects. me. So, I have had to create more time to get fit, All money is raised by volunteers and with no which unfortunately means getting up at 4:30am administration costs, every cent raised goes to most mornings! help cancer patients and their carers. Importantly, I could not have done this alone. The amazing all funds raised stay in our local area! Personal Trainer, Dan Voltz, and Dietician Peter Funding raised has purchased necessary equipClark from Healthier You Dietetics have done ment for cancer surgery and the The North Coast great work in putting me on track to achieve my Cancer Institute. Funding for palliative care sergoals. vices has allowed people to remain at home with I started training in November last year, with dignity. Patients and families have also received me weighing in at 88 kg. Despite not running financial support for travel and accommodation anything close to 10 km since I was 18 years old, when required to leave the area for treatments.
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The Hastings Cancer Trust provides training and education to staff and enables research and clinical trials to be performed in our local area. The current funding drive will purchase and run two cooling cap machines, that will allow people receiving chemotherapy to keep their hair during treatment. You’re planning a special dinner in the lead up to the climb. When and where will this be held, and how can readers purchase tickets? This fun night will be held at Blue Water Bar & Restaurant at 6:30pm on Saturday, August 22nd. Tickets are $75 each and include live music, champagne, canapés, dinner, auctions, door prizes and raffles. Please contact Julie Proud on 6584 9805 or julie@macquarierespiratory.com. au for tickets. What’s your fundraising target? $10 for every metre - $40,000. Please donate to Climb Above Cancer on www.give.everydayhero.com/au/climb-above-cancer Who would you like to acknowledge/thank for supporting Climb Above Cancer? My family has been very supportive of all my training, and I could not even attempt this climb without them. A special thanks to Julie Proud, who has been such a positive influence and instrumental in organising the fundraising drive. I am very grateful for all those who attended the North Brother Climb on June 28th. Thank you also to all the people who have given so generously to support the campaign. Where can people follow your progress with the climb, or find out more info? Follow the climb on www.facebook.com/ climbabovecancer Thanks Baerin. Interview by Jo Atkins.