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Cindy L. Abbott is in a big hurry.
She must climb Mt. Everest while she’s still able. Abbott ’93, ’96 (B.S. physical education, M.S. kinesiology), a part-time health science lecturer, is losing her vision and her body is deteriorating.
She suffers from a fatal disease – Wegener’s granulomatosis – that causes inflammation of blood vessels, restricting blood flow and damaging kidneys, lungs and other organs.
“It started with loss of vision in my left eye,” Abbott said. “I was going blind and, for 10 years, no one could tell me why. I had a bunch of mini strokes and vertigo. It was a relief to finally be diagnosed in 2007.”
But Wegener’s granulomatosis has no cure.
“That’s why I want to climb Mt. Everest now,” Abbott said. “I don’t know how much longer I have.”
The 50-year-old mountain climber also wants to raise awareness about her disease and other rare conditions in her quest to climb the highest mountain on Earth.
“I’m promoting rare disease awareness and collecting funding for research,” Abbott said, adding that she is working with the National Organization for Rare Disorders and the Vasculitis Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports and empowers patients through education, awareness and research.
For Abbott, who for decades has been traveling the world diving the deepest oceans and hiking the highest mountains, climbing Mt. Everest is no lark.
She is a serious mountaineer who always desired to someday make the journey. Her disease, however, has expedited her wish, she said. “But, I don’t have a death wish. I know I can do this.”
To prepare for her ascent up the south side of Mt. Everest (29,029 feet), which straddles Tibet and Nepal, Abbott has been training by climbing other mountains. She’s reached the top of Mt. Whitney (14,504 feet) in California, Mt. Kilimanjaro (19,341 feet) in Tanzania, Mt. Elbrus (18,513 feet) in Russia and Peak Lenin (22,500 feet) in Kyrgyzstan.
Abbott left for Everest in April, expects to summit in May and return home in June.
She and her husband, Larry Abbott ’78 (B.A. geography), a retired Orange County lieutenant sheriff who also teaches kinesiology classes on campus, run an income tax preparation business from their Irvine home and save money to take exotic trips each year. Everest is costing $80,000, and they are paying for most of the trip with retirement savings.
“I want to stand up there and be at the top of the world,” she said. “It’s an amazing challenge that few women have done, and I know it will be hard physically and psychologically, but it will be worth it.”
Still, it’s a dangerous and difficult expedition. There are many accounts detailing treacherous treks to the summit, but survivors often return with a new outlook on life and a sense of accomplishment.
“If I can conquer the challenge, I can do anything,”
Abbott said. “Too many people take life for granted. You
need to reach for your dreams, no matter the obstacles.” 
Produced by Strategic Communications
at California State University, Fullerton.