Man with rare brain tumor to climb the Matterhorn in Switzerland
Jeff Lindgren, 60, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive tumor called glioblastoma in April of 2021. Since then, he has committed himself to beating the disease and has been raising funds to find other treatments and a cure by climbing the Matterhorn in Switzerland.
"They don't have effective treatments or a cure for it,” said Lindgren at Granite Arch Climbing Center in Rancho Cordova. “The median survival rate is 15 months, and I'm out 15 months right now. To put that into perspective, half of the people already diagnosed at this point will have passed away.”
Despite the grim statistics, Lindgren is training to become the first glioblastoma patient, and also the first person with two hip replacements, to summit the Matterhorn to support research funded by the Glioblastoma Foundation.
"There are people and organizations that are actively closing in on more effective treatments for this,” Lindgren said. “And I want to support them by raising some money to support their research."
In early 2021, Lindgren said he began noticing symptoms such as night sweats and foggy-headedness. Lindgren’s wife Margaret also started to notice mood swings and personality changes that were out of character for him. After getting an MRI, Lindgren said he was given the news that he likely had glioblastoma. The American Association of Neurological Surgeons defines glioblastoma as a fast-growing and aggressive brain tumor that invades nearby brain cells. The cancer can cause symptoms including headache, nausea, blurred vision, personality changes and seizures.
Lindgren’s glioblastoma diagnosis was confirmed by a neurosurgeon, who removed the tumor. After surgery, Lindgren received radiation and chemotherapy for six weeks and was given the drug TEMODAR. He now wears a Tumor Treating Field on his head to hopefully halt the growth of new cancer cells in his brain.
“It creates electrical fields through my head,” Lindgren said. “The science behind that is it interferes with the tumor cells’ ability to divide, which is how organic things grow. So far, every eight weeks when I have an MRI, it has not shown any evidence of tumor growth.”
To prepare for his Matterhorn climb on Aug. 12, Lindgren has traveled to Washington state to train with a mountaineering team while climbing the South Early Winters Spire. He also climbs at quarries in Auburn, California, and often trains on rock climbing walls. Lindgren credits staying positive and staying active for maintaining relatively good health throughout the 15 months since his diagnosis.
"I'm not one to take bad news or a bad diagnosis lying down,” Lindgren said. “I'm going to do what I can to live, and do what I can to help myself."
Lindgren, who has been in love with rock climbing since childhood, said his diagnosis inspired him to do something he had always wanted to accomplish and now has no excuse not to pursue.
“The Matterhorn is a peak that is instantly recognizable as one of the most iconic mountains in the world,” said Lindgren. "I see this as a win, win. I can get more money going toward research, help not only other people, but maybe myself. And worst case, I'll get some more adventure.”
Supported by his wife Margaret, his two children and one grandchild, Lindgren said he has a lot to keep living for.
“Keep on living if it kills me,” Lindgren said.
If you would like to support Jeff Lindgren in his fight against glioblastoma, .
