About Sean
Co-founder and President, CancerClimber Association
Two-time cancer survivor Sean Swarner is living proof of triumph against all odds. At age 13, Sean was diagnosed with life-threatening Advanced Stage IV Hodgkin's Disease. His prognosis was critical, and doctors did not expect him to live more than three months. Yet treatment after treatment, Sean improved. His family felt his turnaround was nothing short of a miracle - until the unimaginable happened. Two years later, at age 15, doctors found a cancerous tumor in Sean's chest wall. It was Askin's Sarcoma, another, entirely different and potentially fatal form of cancer. This time, doctors gave him only two weeks.
Nearly 15 years later, and with only partial use of his lungs, Sean stood at the summit of Mt. Everest with those memories fresh in his mind. He is the first cancer survivor to climb the world's highest mountain, and has since conquered Kilimanjaro, Elbrus, Aconcagua, Vinson Massif, Kosciusko, and Denali/Mt. McKinley (highest peaks in Africa, Europe, South America, Antarctica, Australia, and North America). To most, this feat may have seemed impossible, but Sean learned at a young age that no challenge is too great, no peak too high.
Now, Sean shares his message of healing and triumph with cancer patients worldwide by visiting hospitals during his expeditions and presentations, giving hope to the children, parents, and others battling cancer. “Frankly I don't know why I'm alive,” Swarner says. “But I'm incredibly grateful for the third life I have been given and I'm committed to shouting from the rooftops of the world that there is hope and miracles up and down the sides of every mountain. Somehow I found the inner will to get up and out of that hospital bed. My message is that people should really enjoy every moment they've been given. You have one chance - make the most of it.”
“Sean visits young people with cancer after each of his climbs and during his training. His example gives them a role model who has conquered what they are going through and hopefully gives them inspiration to believe that they too can conquer the mountains before them.”
— United States Congressman, Mark Udall
Sean's Honors and Recognitions
- Washington Cancer Institute, Washington DC
- Cancer Survivor's Day, Keynote
- European Society for Medical Oncology, European Conference, Keynote
- Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Hike For Discovery Program, Honorary National Chairperson
- Duke University, Content of Our Character Project, exemplar of Ethical Leadership Award
- The Honorable Mark Udall Recognition, Floor of The U.S. House of Representatives
- Governor of Ohio, Award of Excellence
- State of Ohio "Sean Swarner Recognition Day"
- Featured Speaker at events on 6 continents
- Featured articles in numerous international and national publications both print and TV including Sports Illustrated, NBC, Men's Fitness, American Profile, WUSA TV, and Outside Magazine.