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Benefit for Steve Dieckhoff

Submitted By: John McNamee on May 15, 2007


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I pulled this off Supertopo from Matt Samet.

Dear climber friends,

Supertopo, with all of its trad flavor, seemed like a good place to post this. A fellow climber and diehard trad Steve Dieckhoff is up against it with cancer and needs our help. If you live in or around Boulder, you know him from Eldo and for his art, and also for his unflinching stance (whether you agree with it or not) in the Boulder Canyon bolt wars.

On Saturday, June 2 at 7:00 p..m. at The Spot gym in Boulder, Colorado, friends of the climber Steve Dieckhoff, a longtime boulder climber and artist currently battling lymphoma, will be holding a fundraising event with free beer, slideshows, and an art and gear auctions. Steve has no health insurance and will need all the help he can get with health-care and living expenses as he enters the next, crucial phase of his treatment, likely a marrow transplant and additional chemotherapy. All proceeds from this event ($7 at the door) will go directly to Steve.

First of all, we have set up a benefit fund at:

Steve Dieckhoff Benefit Account
Pueblo Bank and Trust
2950 Pearl Street
Boulder, CO 80301

The account number is 1190296.

As the details firm up, we'll get flyers and PDFs going out, and a web page at climbing.com, but please feel free to donate, pass this info along, and help us get the word out now. More details will follow soon. To see some of Steve’s art, please visit www.stevedieckhoff.com/gallery.html.


Comments on Benefit for Steve Dieckhoff Add Comment
By joe q fed up
May 18, 2007

In an attempt to follow the guidelines and not be a jerk I'll try to put this as diplomatically as possible. It's events and tragedies such as these that re-affirm my belief that health insurance is worth it. For me, it's part of the game.

By kirra
May 18, 2007

Not being around long in the climbing circle, I searched to find info about Steve and thought I would pass along to the other curious: 'FrontRange Interview' - - Sending healing-mojo to Steve, and will also be present to support. Best wishes ~

By Bruce Hildenbrand
May 18, 2007

I second the recommendation for health insurance. You can get "catastrophic" coverage which has high deductibles and only covers you if something really bad happens for very reasonable rates that even climbers can afford. That's what I have.

Best of luck Steve. We are all pulling for you!

By Tony B
From: Boulder, CO
May 18, 2007

Agreed on the health insurance thing, at least in principle. I have said that about several people and their situations. Particularly when someone with no insurance bashes himself climbing A5, 5.11X, or soloing...
Still, I have more sympathy for someone who has cancer than for some guy who falls and gets hurt without it though... Regardless, there's an old saying "It's a little late for that."
So maybe Steve have been remiss in not having insurance, but I can't really know if that is true. Perhaps he couldn't qualify for the insurance due to his pre-existing conditions?

Well, here is what I know:
1) Nobody deserves cancer.
2) $7 is nothing to get into a gym + have a few drinks.
3) The charity auctions generally have stuff go cheap. Probably cheaper than you can buy at the store by at least $7.

By Zed
From: Gotham City
May 18, 2007

Hi Steve,

I am really sorry to hear about your health complications, although if anyone has the mental fortitude to give this thing a run for the money, it's you. I know that we have had our climbing ethics differences in the past, but I have always respected your desire to stay true to your beliefs.

Just remember that you have many friends in the Boulder climbing community, which is much better enduring this alone. Fight like hell, and we'll be rooting for you.

Cheers,

Ken

By Steve "Crusher" Bartlett
May 25, 2007

A few more details on the benefit event for Steve Dieckhoff.

Saturday June 2nd, The Spot Gym.

  • Slide shows: Steve Crusher Bartlett--desert towers; Tim Kemple: North American Bouldering.
  • Auction of Steve Dieckhoff original artwork.
  • Auction of climbing gear: Tons of great stuff, with MC Malcolm Daly.
  • Free beer, supplied by Avery Brewing
  • Freebies of Climbing mags etc.
  • Music: The Veal Chop.
  • Only seven bucks at the door.

Click:

http://www.thespotgym.com/

for directions,

http://climbing.com/exclusive/dieckhoff/

for details,

http://www.stevedieckhoff.com/

for more about Steve.

ps, in response to the health insurance questions above the answer would be yes, I believe his lifelong hip problems have made insurance prohibitively expensive.

By Sonia
Jun 1, 2007

Steve! I was so sorry to read this. Hopefully Fred and Hi can be my proxy at the Spot. Lots of good energy directed your way. . . to see you through this challange! Peace and love,
Sonia (in Korea).

By Leonard Coyne
Jun 9, 2007

Hopefully this thread can act as a form of support both financially and spiritually for Steve. Steve, if you happen to read this my support is with you.

Guys and girls open up your hearts and your wallets and toss a few bucks Steve's way per the benefit account detailed in this thread.