Dear friends and family,

I am excited to announce that I am participating in the American Lung Association® of Washington's 15th annual CLIMB FOR CLEAN AIR. This July, I will be climbing the second highest peak in the continental US and what many say is the "toughest " climb in the lower 48, Mount Rainier, with the guidance of mountaineering guru, Lou Whittaker. In order to fulfill my commitment of climbing Mt. Rainier, I need your help in sponsoring me (as well as getting myself in some sort of shape). Rather than climbing Mt. Rainier solely for personal reasons, I have pledged to raise $3,500 to help aid the American Lung Association® of Washington in their fight against lung disease.

How the American Lung Association® of Washington will put your contribution to use:

* In helping to bring greater attention to and fight the increasing air pollution in our area.
* Helping to prevent lung diseases such as asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, lung cancer, tuberculosis and cystic fibrosis. These various forms of lung disease accounted for 32% of infant deaths, making it the number one killer of babies under the age of one.
* Helping to reduce tobacco use, especially among young people, which is responsible for 419,000 deaths in the US each year. Tobacco causes more deaths than cocaine, heroin, alcohol, homicide, suicide, traffic accidents, fires and AIDS combined.

I hope you will find it worthwhile to aid me in completing my conquest, and supporting the American Lung Association® of Washington - the first step was to contact you - the next step is yours to take. Any amount of contribution would be greatly appreciated;

You can sponsor in whichever format is most convenient for you - cash, check (made payable to the American Lung Association® of Washington), or credit card (see enclosed form). All donations will receive an official receipt and remember that all contributions are 100% tax-deductible. For more information on how to donate or the climb itself, you can also visit my website at www.pledgepage.com/salder/

Thank you in advance for all of your support and generosity. Regardless of my excitement to embark on this adventure, I realize that I could not do this without all of your help and any contribution whatsoever is greatly appreciated.