Grad Students Climb for Cancer

In December 2006, when many students will be returning home for winter break, three Harvard graduate students will embark on a rigorous climbing expedition in an effort to raise $5 million for pediatric oncology research.

John S. Serafini—who is in his second year of a joint master’s degree program at Harvard Business School (HBS) and the Kennedy School of Government (KSG)—is the executive director of the graduate group Mountains for Miracles. He will lead their expedition.

Serafini said he was motivated by his sister’s recovery from cancer.

“My kid sister had thyroid cancer this past June and it opened my eyes to how prevalent cancer is in our society...how many [people] it affects and how heartbreaking it is,” he said. “I decided to combine it with mountaineering...with something really grand.”

Serafini is a 1998 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and has six years of military training experience.

Andrew J. Murphy is also pursuing a joint degree at HBS and the KSG and will join Serafini on the trip.

“There was a proposal from John to do something I’ve never done [before] and for a great cause,” said Murphy, who graduated from Georgetown University and worked in Ghana with the Peace Corps. “I didn’t really come to the Business school to jump into a big organization…[The expedition] is a great opportunity to see what the network [at Harvard] can do when it pulls all the resources into a great cause.”

The two men—along with HBS student Boyd E. Bishop and documentary filmmaker and experienced climber Brad Clement—hope to reach the seven tallest summits in each continent within 198 days to break the current world record of 214 days.

“[Murphy and Bishop] are physical studs in every sense of the word,” Serafini said. “Clement would be a great compliment to our organization and [I] asked him to round out the tape.”

But Serafini said his military experience will help will also be useful on the trip.

“My military experience was primarily mountainous infantry operations in cold weather conditions,” he said.

In preparation, Serafini, Murphy, and Bishop are planning on attending a climbing guide course in New Zealand in January.

Serafini formed the Mountains for Miracles group—an expanding logistical and marketing team of about thirty graduate students from HBS and KSG—for the sole purpose of funding the expedition.

In order to raise public awareness while on the excursion, the group will use national a cybercast shown in real time to reach internet viewers. There will also be individuals on site at base camp to provide media liaisons and logistical support, according to Serafini.

Serafini expects Clement to film in high definition for a possible documentary. The group will be the first team ever to shoot in high-definition film.

The group plans to start climbing in mid December 2006, as soon as they finish exams.

Murphy said he thinks the trip will be a fulfilling experience.

“[We’re at] the stage of defining what we are, what we’re trying to do,” he said. “I’ve been amazed at where the idea has gone…from when John first presented the idea to me a few months ago [to] where we are now.”

Last night, the Mountains for Miracles group kicked off their campaign with a fundraising party at The Liquor Store in Boston.