I have joined a chiropractic expedition team that will climb Mt. Kilimanjaro this September. We will arrive in Tanzania, Africa on September 16 and spend the next six days covering 19,341 vertical feet through a wide range of climates and conditions. It is a very exciting opportunity, but most importantly, the objective is to increase awareness about prostate health and help raise funds for the Prostate Awareness Foundation (PAF).

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in menÑthis year over 300,000 men will be diagnosed and 30,000 men will die from prostate cancer. As a woman, I am still affected because I worry about the health of my family, friends, and patients. I hope to make a difference by raising awareness levels, not only about early detection, but prevention, too.

Proper nutrition always plays a major role in disease prevention. Lifestyle choices and environmental conditions are also important aspects to consider when discussing prevention. Standard Process has many products, such as Palmettoplex^®, that can fill in the nutritional gaps and specifically support prostate health and function.

Just last year, our company lost a dear friend when Mr. Rick Toal, Standard Process Sales Representative, passed away after a long battle with prostate cancer. He is missed by many and I hope to honor his memory during the Mt. Kilimanjaro climb. I am also dedicating this climb to Mr. Frank DuBois, father of current Standard Process President, Charlie DuBois. Mr. DuBois, a past president of Standard Process and nephew of Dr. Royal Lee, died in 1995 from prostate cancer and his presence is still powerfully felt at the company today.

If you are interested in making a donation to the PAF, please go to www.firstgiving.com/marybethlarsen. Your contribution is tax deductible and all proceeds go toward supporting PAF's not-for-profit educational service.