Climb for a Cause (CFAC), a non-profit dental charity dedicated to providing donated dental services, volunteer dentistry, and oral health education for economically disadvantaged citizens worldwide, will hold its 12th annual fundraising event will on Sunday, September 6, 2009 in Yosemite Valley, Calif. CFAC is currently seeking participation and sponsorship from dental practices, consultants, manufacturers, and other members of the profession.
 
Dental professionals from across the nation will assemble to pledge their support for volunteer dentistry by attempting a one-day ascent/descent of the famous Half Dome. The 16-mile round trip hike rises to a peak at 5,000 feet above Yosemite Valley. The last 400 feet of the Half Dome hike requires the help of two metal cables that allow hikers to finish the ascent without rock climbing equipment.
 
Funds raised from the hike will support the CFAC dental education and treatment projects in Guatemala and Cambodia, as well as other domestic oral health causes. Part of CFAC’s proceeds may also be allocated to oral cancer research. 
 
“Our goal for 2009 is to adequately enlist and equip local and visiting dental professionals and volunteers to provide preventive and restorative dental care and education to the underserved citizens of Guatemala, Cambodia, and, of course, the United States,” said Daniel Bobrow, executive director of Climb for a Cause.  “To meet this challenge, our goal is to raise $100,000.”
 
 “Because this is a hike, not a climb, no prior experience is required and we’d like to encourage all people, regardless of age or experience, to participate in this rewarding experience, which is philanthropic dentistry at its most exciting,” said Bobrow.