ECAN To Hold First Ever Rappelling Event from Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City, May 1 & 2

Venice-Mar Vista – ECAN (Esophageal Cancer Action Network) will go to new heights to spread the lifesaving message that heartburn can cause cancer. On Friday, May 1 and Saturday, May 2, the national non-profit organization will hold Stories to Save Lives − the first ever rappelling event from the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City.

“Every 36 minutes, one American dies of Esophageal Cancer, which is one of the fastest growing cancer diagnoses in the country -- up more than 600 percent in the past 35 years,” said ECAN President and CEO Mindy Mintz Mordecai, who founded the national non-profit organization after losing her husband and the father of their two young daughters to the disease in 2008.

“The type of Esophageal Cancer increasing so rapidly in the U.S. is usually caused by reflux disease – what we often think of as heartburn,” Mordecai added. “ECAN is thrilled to host Stories to Save Lives where Angelenos will get the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to rappel 24 stories from a shimmering hotel, while shining a light on the stories of so many Americans affected by this deadly, but preventable, disease.”

Kicking off May 1 with a VIP Rappel and Reception (featuring food and drink and entertainment) and continuing the next day when approximately 80 people are expected to rappel, Stories to Save Lives invites people of all ages, including adventure seekers, those with connections to Esophageal Cancer, media personalities and celebrities, to make an impact on the fight against this deadly disease in an extraordinary way.

Participants will pledge to raise at least $1,500, receive their own fundraising web page, undergo a training session on event day and be photographed as they descend from the roof to the ground level pool deck in honor of someone surviving, battling or lost to Esophageal Cancer.

They will be cheered on by friends, family and other spectators in the Landing Zone celebration area, which will offer a party atmosphere with music, refreshments, sponsor booths, ground adventures such as a rock climbing wall, and more.

To operate and coordinate Stories to Save Lives, ECAN is teaming with Over the Edge and a dedicated group of LA-based volunteers under the leadership of committee co-chairs: Esophageal Cancer survivor, Rick Garman and his good friend, Maureen Bergmueller.

“Unlike most cancers, Esophageal Cancer can be prevented if you are aware of the causes and take action to keep it from advancing that far,” said Garman (48), a North Hollywood resident who had frequent and severe heartburn and acid reflux for most of his adult life before being diagnosed with Barrett’s Esophagus and Stage 1B Esophageal Cancer in 2012. Following an esophagectomy and several additional procedures, he was declared officially in remission in June 2013.

“Despite the trauma of the surgeries, I am one of the lucky ones and the reason I am involved with ECAN is because I want there to be more lucky ones like me,” Garman added. “By spreading the message about the connection between acid reflux/heartburn and cancer, we can save lives.”

To register for Stories to Save Lives, support a participant or receive more information about volunteer or sponsorship opportunities, visit www.storiestosavelives.org.

ABOUT ECAN
ECAN’s mission is to save lives by increasing awareness about the link between heartburn and cancer, promoting early detection and supporting medical innovation to prevent, detect, treat and cure Esophageal Cancer. The Baltimore-based national non-profit organization is led by a board of directors of top physicians, business leaders and families that have been touched by esophageal cancer.

Through ECAN’s efforts, April has been formally designated as Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month across the United States. ECAN also published an innovative Guide for Patients with input from leading doctors across the nation, and it successfully advocated with the National Cancer Institute to include Esophageal Cancer in its groundbreaking genome mapping project known as The Cancer Genome Atlas. For more information about ECAN, visit www.ECAN.org.

ABOUT OVER THE EDGE
Over the Edge is a special events company that provides signature events for non-profit organizations anywhere in North America and it is currently expanding globally. Business leaders, individuals and community members are invited to raise donations in exchange for the experience of going over the edge of a prominent building. This unique event generates front page news, raises thousands of dollars and provides participants with a truly thrilling experience. Over the Edge is responsible for all technical aspects of the event including the insurance, professional staff and rappelling equipment. In addition, OTE provides a comprehensive Event Manual and tools to conduct a successful fund raising event. OTE’s mission is to create a legacy with a 10-year goal to help non-profit organizations throughout North America raise $50 million dollars. For more information, visit www.overtheedgeusa.com.