| Sean Swarner
Two-time cancer survivor and Renowned Mountain-Climber
Biography
Two-time cancer survivor Sean Swarner is
living proof of triumph against all odds. At age 13, Sean was diagnosed with
life-threatening Advanced Stage IV Hodgkin's Disease. His prognosis was
critical, and doctors did not expect him to live more than three months. Yet
treatment after treatment, Sean improved. His family felt his turnaround was
nothing short of a miracle - until the unimaginable happened. Two years later,
at age 15, doctors found a cancerous tumor in Sean's chest wall. It was Askin's
Sarcoma, another, entirely different and potentially fatal form of cancer. This
time, doctors gave him only two weeks.
Nearly 15 years later, and with only partial use of his lungs, Sean stood at
the summit of Mt. Everest with those memories fresh in his mind. He is the first
cancer survivor to climb the world's highest mountain, and has since conquered
Kilimanjaro, Elbrus, Aconcagua, Vinson Massif, Kosciusko, and Denali/Mt.
McKinley (highest peaks in Africa, Europe, South America, Antarctica, Australia,
and North America). To most, this feat may have seemed impossible, but Sean
learned at a young age that no challenge is too great, no peak too high.
Now, Sean shares his message of healing and triumph with cancer patients
worldwide by visiting hospitals during his expeditions and presentations, giving
hope to the children, parents, and others battling cancer. “Frankly I don't know
why I'm alive,” Swarner says. “But I'm incredibly grateful for the third life I
have been given and I'm committed to shouting from the rooftops of the world
that there is hope and miracles up and down the sides of every mountain. Somehow
I found the inner will to get up and out of that hospital bed. My message is
that people should really enjoy every moment they've been given. You have one
chance - make the most of it.”
Honors and Awards
Honors & Awards
- George Washington University's Cancer Institute's Internation Spirit of Life
Award
- Climbing Magazine's 2007 Golden Piton Humanitarian of the year
- Also featured on ESPN in June of 2007
- Featured in the following magazines: National Geographic ADVENTURE, Outside
Magazine, American Health and Fitness, Sports Illustrated, Climbing, Men's
Health, Men's Fitness, among others including international magazines
- Featured on ESPN's SportsCenter
- Author, Keep Climbing: How I Beat Cancer and Reached the Top of the World
- Guest inspirational writer for Chemo, Cancer, and Craziness inspiring words
written with legend Lance Armstrong
- Duke University Content of our Character award. Honoring exemplars of Ethical
Leadership for Generation X
- Willard, Ohio Key to City
- County Commissioners and Governor of Ohio, Award of Excellence
- Honorary Member, Italian Alpine Club
- Commune Di Leffe Recognition
- Gran Gala della Montagna e della Solidarieta
- State of Ohio "Sean Swarner Recognition Day"
- Rotary International Paul Harris Fellowship Award
- Numerous Radio and Television talk shows from Milan, Italy to Little Rock,
Arkansas
- Johnny Walker, "Keep On Walking" foundation grant recipient
Speaking Topics
- Hope
- Corporate
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