2025
Invitation: Join the Timmerman Traverse for Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation.
It’s a trek in the Himalayas to Everest Base Camp (17,600 feet / 5,364 meters).
You will train for the physical and mental demands of high altitude. You will think creatively and work relentlessly to activate your networks to raise $50,000 for cancer research.
Accept this challenge and you can join a 17-person team that raises significant funds for cancer research.
This is the trip of a lifetime.
What Will I Do?
Why Damon Runyon? It supports brilliant young cancer researchers across the US.
Damon Runyon enables scientists to reach their full potential. These grants allow young scientists to generate data that they can leverage into larger sums from others.
Damon Runyon has a keen eye for talent. In its more than 75-year history, its grant recipients have gone on to win:
Damon Runyon grants have catalyzed many major advances in science, including
When Do We Go to Nepal?
Apr. 11-27, 2025
Detailed day-by-day itinerary below.
Timmerman Traverse for Damon Runyon
Everest Base Camp 2025 Schedule
April 11, 2025 Fly from USA
April 12 Transit
April 13 Arrive KTM
April 14 Orientation / packing
April 15 Fly to Lukla / Trek to Monjo
April 16 Trek to Namche
April 17 Namche acclimatization hike, visit AAI Foundation school
April 18 Trek to Debouche / Visit Tengboche monastery
April 19 Trek to Dingboche
April 20 Dingboche acclimatization hike
April 21 Trek to Lobuche
April 22 Trek to Gorak Shep
April 23 Hike Kala Pattar and trek to EBC for overnight
April 24 Heli from EBC or Gorak Shep to KTM / Weather day if needed
April 25 Heli to KTM / Tour KTM / Celebration Dinner
April 26 Fly Home to USA
April 27, 2025 Arrive Home USA
Who’s the Team Leader?
Luke Timmerman is the founder and editor of Timmerman Report, a leading biotech industry newsletter. Luke was named one of the 100 most influential people in biotech in 2015 by Scientific American. Luke’s mountaineering campaigns have mobilized the biotech community to give back more than $10 million to fight cancer, poverty, and sickle cell disease.
Who’s Guiding? Eric Murphy has 20+ years of experience guiding in Nepal, Tanzania, and other great mountain ranges of the world. Eric and I have worked together on four Timmerman Traverse expeditions and have a great friendship and partnership. He’s one of the best mountain guides in the business. You may learn some things about team leadership by watching him.
Why trek to Everest Base Camp? The scenery is spectacular.
The size and scope of the mountains are awe-inspiring.
You will experience Tibetan Buddhism up close. Listen to the chants. Smell the burning sage and juniper. Feel the calm that radiates from the people who live in the mountains.
Your journey will be personally fulfilling and inspiring to young scientists and cancer patients.
Risk
No technical mountain climbing experience is necessary. You will not need crampons, ropes, harnesses, ice axes, or any technical equipment. People in good cardiovascular shape can do this hike with a decent pair of hiking boots.
The terrain is rugged. Trails can get steep. It’s not easy. It’s not supposed to be.
You will have to train your body and mind to withstand the rigors of high altitude.
Who’s on the Team?
Diversity: I value diversity – age, race, gender, ethnicity, geography, and different flavors of expertise. My vision is to create a fun, dynamic, eclectic group of people to spend time with in the mountains. We may play cards. We may tell stories. We’ll get to know each other beneath the surface. Your recruiting efforts can help create this positive and supportive group.
All Trip Details: See the Murphy Expeditions website for more on gear requirements, travel logistics.
I hope you can join us for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Questions? luke@timmermanreport.com
Orientation day February 2024. Four Points Arusha Hotel, Tanzania
L to R: Henry Kilgore, Luke Timmerman, and Will Chen on Kilimanjaro, Feb. 2024. Henry and Will are Damon Runyon Fellows. Valuable connections and friendships were formed.
Summit Day on Kilimanjaro. Feb. 2024
Celebration at Uhuru Peak. 19,341 ft.
Sponsors:
What Alumni Are Saying:
“The Timmerman Traverse gives you a chance to step outside the day-to-day pressures and gain perspective on what is most important — something as busy executives we too seldom find time to do. The trek provides lessons on the value of focus and teamwork and along the way you bond to form deep meaningful friendships. All of these benefits, plus raising significant funds for a good cause, make it a perfect win/win opportunity. My advice: RUN — don’t walk — to a Yes if asked to join.” – Jodie Morrison, CEO, Q32Bio. Everest Base Camp trek ’22.
“Phenomenal vistas, wonderful culture, an amazing cause. Yet so much more. I knew that it would be a challenge to undertake a trek to Everest Base Camp and trust me I was apprehensive in the weeks leading up to our journey to Nepal. But little did I realize that I would be taking this journey with so many incredible, amazing people. We did it as a team, succeeded in our efforts, and we came out as true friends. Just a few weeks has led to a lifetime of reward.” – Nimesh Shah, managing director, K2 HealthVentures, Everest Base Camp trek ’22.
“The climb did prove to me among the most physically difficult accomplishments of my life, but we were supported by an amazing crew and the excellent leadership of Eric Murphy. I made friends for a lifetime with colleagues who shared the goal of raising critical funds for truly innovative cancer research.” – Nagesh Mahanthappa, executive chair, Exo Therapeutics. Kilimanjaro. ‘24
“Simply the best chance ever to get to know a high-quality group of biotech executives well. And so much more. Consider future trips if you love the industry and hate cancer.” – Bob More, partner, Alta Partners. Kilimanjaro ’19.
