This is Leigh’s first year participating in Climb to the Top. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis a few months ago, Leigh registered for the climb less than a month ago and has already raised nearly $12,000! She leads “Team Kapniss” with four others and credits her fundraising success to a mass e-mail to her support system explaining her participation and asking for donations. 

The following is an excerpt from her personal page:

“It has been the most challenging, confusing and unpredictable experience of my life. That said, I am a firm believer in embracing challenging situations with a smile and that things really do happen for a reason. I hope mine is to make a difference in what is currently a chronic autoimmune disease with no known cure. I want to do everything to prevent more people from learning what it means to live with this disease.”

Leigh is currently in her last semester in pursuit of a doctorate in Physical Therapy.

Keep up the amazing work Leigh!

Fundraising tip: Don’t shy away from sharing your story. Whether you have a connection to MS or you’re climbing as a fitness and weight loss challenge, people want to know why you are involved. Tell them why they should donate to you. It makes their donation much more meaningful!