Brownsburg man climbs with dual motivations

Local News

July 2, 2009

By Ryan Palencer The Hendricks County Flyer Thu Jul 02, 2009, 01:52 PM EDT

BROWNSBURG —

For Brownsburg resident Alex Whitley, an upcoming climb of Mt. Elbrus has special meaning.

“It’s very different than the climbs before,” Whitley said. “I’ve climbed through 12 different countries in Africa, all through Greece, and a couple more places in Europe. It was all for personal satisfaction, but there is a lot more pressure on this one.”

For Whitley, this climb will be the first “Ascent for Alopecia.” Whitley’s girlfriend, Dana Crook, suffers from the disorder, which is an autoimmune disease that causes an individual to lose their hair.

Crook explained, “I have been diagnosed with alopecia areata for eight years now. It happened to me when I turned 18. I lost all of my hair on my head.”

Whitley has been supportive of Crook since they began their relationship about a year and a half ago.

“I have always been trying to help Dana in coping with it,” Whitley said. “When you lose (your hair), not only is that tough on you, the second thing is, you have no clue when it could grow back.”

Because of this support, Crook said that Whitley has “changed my life a lot.”

“Though it is not a life or death situation, it is very mentally challenging, especially being a female,” Crook said.

When Whitley attempted to learn more about alopecia from Crook, it spawned his interest.

“When I was asking her more about it, I learned that a lot of autoimmune diseases are linked,” Whitley said. “Crohn’s disease being one. If you find a cure for one, there’s a pretty good chance that it would solve the problems across the board.”

This caused Whitley to attempt to assist the fundraising effort.

“Then I looked up fundraising events and nobody was doing any fundraising for autoimmune,” he said. “I have a history of climbing and traveling, so I decided to incorporate it that way.”

For Whitley, there are now two goals.

“My main goal is to reach the top, but in doing so using that to create awareness for alopecia,” he said. “Hopefully, whether it is $500 I raise or $10,000 I raise, some good use will be put to it, so women like Dana can feel more comfortable with themselves.”

Whitley will leave for Russia on July 15 and begin his climb on July 18, if the weather cooperates.

He is attempting to climb the highest points on every continent. Mt. Elbrus, which is the highest peak in Europe, will be his second to check off the list. He has previously reached the peak at Mt. Kilimanjaro in 2004. Now in his future climbs, he will be climbing for alopecia.

In addition, the primary fundraiser event will be from 5 p.m. to midnight July 12 at Blu Lounge, 240 S. Meridian St., Indianapolis. The bar will be running a special on stoli drinks with a portion of the proceeds from the drinks going to the Ascent for Alopecia.

Anyone unable to attend the fundraiser who would still like to donate may send a check to Ascent for Alopecia, P.O. Box 1073, Mooresville, IN 46158.

The money that is raised by the events will be split between the National Alopecia Areata Foundation and Bald Girls Do Lunch, a national non-profit organization that brings women with alopecia together.

ryan.palencer@flyergroup.com

Text Only

Local News

Purdue Extension offers free tax filing
Beth Switzer has heard and seen cases of citizens who want their tax refunds quicker filing through agencies that charge them hundreds, even thousands of dollars.

February 3, 2012
City encourages recycling during Super Bowl events
Officials with the Office of Sustainability are encouraging visitors attending Super Bowl XVLI festivities to dispose of recyclable waste in any of the more than 200 pedestrian recycle bins placed throughout the downtown area.

February 3, 2012
Skillman announces 2012 'Stellar Communities' program
Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman recently announced that the state is looking for its next Indiana "Stellar Communities."

February 3, 2012
‘American Idol’ winner visits Sheltering Wings
The residents, staff, and volunteers of Sheltering Wings were treated to a visit by Jordin Sparks, 2007 winner of “American Idol.” Sparks has been trying to make a positive impact on the Super Bowl cities for the past five years.

February 3, 2012 7 Photos 1 Slideshow
Patriot fan feels welcome...in his own town
This week I don’t live here. I flew in on a plane, have more money than I know what to do with, and brush my teeth with Sam Adams. Nevermind the fact that I actually do live here, played basketball
collegiately in this state, and ply my trade craft here eight hours a day.

February 3, 2012
Teens start non-profit to reach out to peers
BROWNSBURG — Kendall Daugherty and Jordan Mutnansky have teamed up to start their own non-profit organization — Drop Your Dress Foundation — to help empower teens with terminal and debilitation illnesses.

February 2, 2012 1 Photo
VIDEO: Punxsutawney Phil makes his prediction
More than 18,000 people descended on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney for the annual Groundhog Day celebration.

February 2, 2012 1 Photo
TCM hosts inaugural cruise
Last December, some 2,000 people from across the United States, Canada, and Europe made their way to Miami for a four-day round-trip cruise to Cozumel, Mexico. But it wasn't the golden beaches or sparkling blue waters that united the dedicated band of travelers; it was the onboard events and list of eminent guests.

February 2, 2012 2 Photos
Super Feathers initiative reaches goal
What started as a way for the Hendricks County Convention and Visitors Bureau to support one of their own while teaming up with Indy's Super Cure, a Super Bowl initiative to raise awareness and money for breast cancer research, turned into a countywide effort that reached its goal of raising $5,000 in one month.

February 2, 2012
Mayor announces awards luncheon
The city of Indianapolis' third annual Sustainability Awards luncheon will be in March, so now is the time for Indianapolis businesses, non-profits, schools, and other organizations to submit applications for the 2012 Sustainability Awards.

February 2, 2012
More Local News Headlines

Local News

Search Results

Brownsburg man climbs with dual motivations

Has Indianapolis done a good job of hosting the Super Bowl?

Site Map