Cancer survivors' climb subject of TV feature
This article by Deanna Darr was printed in the September 8, 2004 Jackson Hole Daily Guide.
send this page to a friend

Exum mountain guide Cara Liberatore will be featured on today's episode of "The Jane Pauley Show" for her work leading a team of cancer survivors up the Grand Teton. Liberatore made her third annual trip during the Fourth of July weekend, leading a team of 10 on a successful ascent of the mountain. The episode will air at 4 p.m. on channel 4 in Jackson Hole.

Liberatore, 33, started leading the trips in honor of her mother, who died from breast cancer. But when Liberatore was diagnosed with breast cancer roughly a year ago, the trip took on new significance.

"Your eyes and ears open up much more when you're the actual person," she said. "I was walking in a set of shoes I never expected to be walking in." After surgery, chemotherapy and the beginning of five years of hormone therapy, Liberatore said she was a little wary of leading such a strenuous trip. "I was a little nervous," she said. "How was I going to get back on par to lead a team of 10?"

Throughout her treatment Liberatore said she tried to stay active, doing some sort of physical activity every day. "I had to keep myself going," she said. The bulk of her treatment ended in April, and she made a push to get into shape, determined to lead the trip. She was joined by a team of fellow cancer survivors and supporters, all of whom made the trip as a fund-raiser for cancer research. Each member of the team covered their own expenses and raised at least $2,000 to be donated.

Liberatore said she was surprised to receive the call from "The Jane Pauley Show," which heard about her climb through word of mouth. "My friends and family encouraged me to get someone big to film it, but I thought that was out of this league," she said.

A producer from the show joined the climb and completed a week of training before the attempt. A cameraman and sound crew accompanied the party and recorded the entire trip.

While the climb was as physically demanding as Liberatore expected, emotionally it caught her off guard. "It was a whole other level," she said.

When the group reached the summit, it flew prayer flags that supporters of the trip dedicated to loved ones. "It was pretty moving to say the least," Liberatore said.

Liberatore, a part-time Jackson resident, already is planning her next trek. This time she plans to focus on cancer survivors in Jackson Hole. "I want it to be a positive experience of being proactive," she said. "To be empowering to women."