Climbing with Kathy

Two family stories. One shared purpose. A promise carried forward.

A Promise Carried Forward

When Kathy was diagnosed with cancer, the two of us talked about completing Climbing Mt. Everest: The 29029 Vertical Challenge together. She would have been great at it. We wanted to take on something difficult, side by side — and prove that a diagnosis would not define our family. Her health ultimately made that impossible.

"There should have been two of us climbing this mountain. Although Kathy cannot be beside me in the way we once planned, her love and strength will be part of every step."

On October 23, 2026, I will attempt all 17 ascents at Stratton Mountain in Vermont — carrying her memory and our unfinished promise on every step. I also want our children to see that strength doesn't mean life never breaks your heart. It means continuing to love, continuing to show up, and continuing to move forward. This is who Kathy was: someone who did hard things, leaned on her faith, and always showed up to help others.

We are turning this climb into support for Janel Bartke and her four children. Five years ago, Janel lost her husband Rick following his journey with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and a heart transplant. Their son Jackson now faces the same HCM-related challenges and has been on the heart transplant list since 2024. They understand what it means to live with uncertainty, loss, courage, and hope — and no family should face that mountain alone.

The 17 Named Ascents

Each ascent represents a value that has carried our families forward. Each of the 17 ascents can be sponsored by up to two people — sponsor a named ascent and be part of the climb.

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Ascent 1 · $500

Kathy's Love

Kathy loved fiercely and quietly — in her devotion to her husband Paul, her children Natalia and Victoria, the rest of her family, her OTF community, and the dearest friends who were always there for her. This ascent is hers. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud... It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." — 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Sponsor: $500

2 of 2 Available

💪

Ascent 2 · $500

Kathy's Strength

Strength is not the absence of struggle — it is choosing to continue. Kathy showed us what that looks like every single day of her illness.

Sponsor: $500

2 of 2 Available

🌅

Ascent 3 · $500

For Janel

This ascent is dedicated to Janel Bartke — a mother who has carried her family through unimaginable loss with quiet dignity, strength, and unwavering love. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." — Philippians 4:13

Sponsor: $500

2 of 2 Available

❤️

Ascent 4 · $500

For Rick

Rick Bartke faced his illness with heart — literally and figuratively. This ascent honors his memory and the love he left behind in his family.

Sponsor: $500

2 of 2 Available

🌟

Ascent 5 · $500

For Jackson

Jackson carries his father's condition and his father's courage. He has been on the heart transplant list since 2024. This ascent is for him — and for every step forward he and the people who love him take on together. "The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." — Deuteronomy 31:8

Sponsor: $500

2 of 2 Available

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Ascent 6 · $500

For the Bartke Children

Jenna, Jackson, Joey, and Jacob — four children who lost their father and kept going. This ascent celebrates their resilience and wraps them in the support of an entire community.

Sponsor: $500

2 of 2 Available

🦁

Ascent 7 · $750

Courage

Courage is moving forward even when the next step feels frightening. Kathy, Paul, Victoria, and Natalia have shown the world what true courage looks like. "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me." — Psalm 28:7

Sponsor: $750

2 of 2 Available

🙏

Ascent 8 · $750

Kathy's Grace

Kathy carried her diagnosis with a grace that left everyone around her in awe. She never let pain harden her — and that grace lives on in all who loved her.

Sponsor: $750

2 of 2 Available

🌿

Ascent 9 · $750

Healing

Healing does not erase loss — it helps us learn how to carry it. Each step forward is part of the long, sacred work of healing.

Sponsor: $750

2 of 2 Available

🤝

Ascent 10 · $1,000

Compassion

Compassion turns our own experience of loss into help for someone else. Every pledge made to this campaign is an act of compassion in action.

Sponsor: $1,000

2 of 2 Available

🏔️

Ascent 11 · $750

Perseverance

We may climb slowly, but we continue — one step at a time. Perseverance is the quiet promise we make to ourselves and to those we love.

Sponsor: $750

2 of 2 Available

🕊️

Ascent 12 · $1,000

Hope

Hope allows us to believe that the next chapter can still hold goodness — even after the hardest losses. It is what keeps both our families climbing. "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." — Isaiah 41:10

Sponsor: $1,000

2 of 2 Available

🌍

Ascent 13 · $1,000

Community

No family should be expected to face its hardest mountain alone. This ascent belongs to every person who showed up — and to all of you here now.

Sponsor: $1,000

2 of 2 Available

🙌

Ascent 14 · $1,500

Gratitude

Gratitude recognizes every person who helps carry the weight. From Paul: thank you to every single person who took even a minute to help in any form — the donors, the encouragers, the friends who never stopped calling.

Sponsor: $1,500

2 of 2 Available

🎯

Ascent 15 · $1,500

Purpose

Pain can be transformed into action that makes another family stronger. This ascent is the reason the climb was made — and the reason it matters. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." — Romans 8:28

Sponsor: $1,500

2 of 2 Available

🌸

Ascent 16 · $1,500

Kathy's Legacy

Kathy's influence continues through the lives she touched and the good done in her honor. Her legacy is not an ending — it is a beginning. "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." — Matthew 5:16

Sponsor: $1,500

2 of 2 Available

👑

Ascent 17 · $2,500

Love Never Ends

The final ascent. The promise fulfilled. For Kathy, for the Bartke family, and for everyone who believed that love — even after loss — never truly ends.

Sponsor: $2,500

2 of 2 Available

Make Your Pledge

Three ways to support the climb. Every gift appears under one campaign goal on our Pledge It page — one story, one running total.

💛 Give Now — Flat Donation

Make an immediate one-time gift in any amount. Your donation is processed directly through the Pledge It campaign page and goes straight toward supporting the Bartke family.

💡 Your gift will be processed on Pledge It. You'll be redirected to complete your donation securely.

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Thank You!

You're being redirected to our Pledge It page to complete your gift. The Bartke family is grateful for your generosity.

🏔️ Pledge Per Ascent

Pledge a set amount for every ascent completed on October 23. Your final total is based on the number of ascents finished — up to 17. This is a great way to stay connected to the climb in real time.

📊 Example: A $10/ascent pledge = up to $170 if all 17 ascents are completed. Your final amount is confirmed after the event.

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Pledge Registered!

Your per-ascent pledge has been noted. You'll be directed to Pledge It to finalize your commitment. We'll update you after the climb!

Climbing
with Kathy

Our Climb to $50,000