Timmerman Traverse for Life Science Cares Raises Another $1.1M to Fight Poverty in 2025

Another Timmerman Traverse for Life Science Cares is in the books.

This year, we raised $1.15 million from more than 1,000 donors to fight poverty in biotech hubs around the US.

We raised awareness of worthy nonprofits close to home, through Life Science Cares.

Perhaps most importantly, we had an unforgettable life experience, making friends amid some of the most spectacular scenery in North America.

These friendships mean a lot to people, personally and professionally.

This trip had it all. Wasp stings. Blisters. Sore legs. Sweat. Snoring. Jokes. Raucous laughter into the night. Helping hands on the trail. Sharing of favorite trail snacks. Gulps of filtered mountain stream water. 

One universal: jaw-dropping expressions of awe at Mother Nature in her full glory. (Thankfully, the weather cooperated).

For me, this was the 12^th consecutive successful season as coach of the Timmerman Traverse. All of the campaigns for cancer research, fighting poverty and sickle cell disease (12 of 12, 100 percent) have exceeded their fundraising goals since my 2018 summit of Mt. Everest for Fred Hutch Cancer Center. These teams of biotech executives and investors have now raised a combined $14.3 million to alleviate suffering from cancer, poverty, and sickle cell disease.  

There are now 180 alumni of the Timmerman Traverse. Many describe the experience as life-changing. Some have come back more than once.

Here’s what we did this year. 

The Timmerman Traverse for Life Science Cares 2025 convened 21 biotech executives and investors for a pair of back-to-back day hikes in the North Cascades of Washington. We hiked 20 miles, gaining about 7,900 vertical feet of elevation.

Later in the week, a small group of TT alumni hiked The Enchantments Traverse. It’s 20-miles long, has 4,700 feet of vertical gain, and lives up to its name as one of the truly splendid hikes in North America.

These Timmerman Traverse campaigns are tapping into something deep and meaningful. It’s something to behold when brilliant minds, big hearts, and bright spirits all come together around a shared vision. 

This is about getting out in nature, doing hard things, with friends, for a shared purpose. The health benefits are multi-dimensional — physical, mental, social, spiritual. 

Enjoy a few photos. If you participated or donated, thank you.

If you are interested in learning more about what it takes to participate or sponsor in the future, ask: luke@timmermanreport.com.

 

Timmerman Traverse for Life Science Cares 2025 participants:

• Luke Timmerman, founder & editor, Timmerman Report
• Katherine Andersen, head of life science & healthcare, HSBC USA Commercial Banking
• Andrea Johnston, founding partner, FiftyOne Advisory Group
• David Goldstein, co-founder and CEO, Actio Bio
• Andrew Lam, managing director, head of biotech private equity, Ally Bridge Group
• Ian Sanderson, chief financial officer, Nimbus Therapeutics
• John Moriarty, chief legal officer, Avidity Biosciences
• Tamar Thompson, head of global corporate affairs, Alexion Pharmaceuticals; board chair, MassBio
• Chris Garabedian, chairman and CEO, Xontogeny; portfolio manager, Perceptive Xontogeny Venture Fund
• Sean McClain, founder and CEO, Absci
• Vyas Ramanan, venture partner, Third Rock Ventures
• Aimee Raleigh, principal, Atlas Venture
• Glenn Rockman, founder and managing partner, Adjuvant Capital
• Kemi Olugemo, chief medical officer, Korro Bio
• Richard Wilson, senior vice president, Astellas Pharma
• Troy Wilson, co-founder, chairman and CEO, Kura Oncology
• Jeff Hessekiel, EVP and general counsel, Exelixis
• Dorothy Lou Bailey, president and COO, Exo Therapeutics
• Rod Cotton, board of directors, Eisai US; venture partner, 2Flo Ventures
• Alan C. Smith, partner, Fenwick
• Max Farina, principal 5AM Ventures
• Lianna Kushi, chief development officer, Life Science Cares

Timmerman Traverse Enchantments participants:

• Luke Timmerman, founder, Timmerman Report
• Art Krieg, founder and CEO, Zola Therapeutics
• Jeb Keiper, former CEO, Nimbus Therapeutics
• Ben Keiper, biochemistry student, Northeastern University
• Andrea van Elsas, partner, Third Rock Ventures