24 Hours for Hank returns for its 11th Anniversary March 23rd, 2019

2,400 Feet of Schweitzer - the longest Giant Slalom in the USA.

Registration Now Open

Sandpoint, ID (March 13, 2019) – Registration is now open for 2,400 Feet of Schweitzer! This is your ONLY chance to ski a Giant Slalom course starting at Sky House on Schweitzer’s summit. Teams will ski and ride for prizes, bragging rights and most importantly, fundraising for Cystinosis research and Hank’s future.

24 Hours for Hank introduced 2,400 Feet of Schweitzer in 2018 after 8 years of hosting the popular 24 Hours of Schweitzer, all day / all night ski challenge.  The new format was a great success - it was challenging, rewarding, fun for all participants, and a huge fundraising success!  This will be the eleventh year that 24 Hours for Hank has had a fundraiser held in honor of twelve-year-old Hank Sturgis of Sandpoint and others suffering from the rare, fatal disease Cystinosis.

2,400 Feet of Schweitzer is a unique sunrise top to bottom giant slalom event beginning at the Sky House lodge at the summit of Schweitzer and finishing at The Outback at the base of the mountain - 2,400 vertical feet and nearly 2 ½ miles of skiing - creating the longest giant slalom race in the country.  The race is open to all ability levels in all disciplines - alpine, telemark and snowboarding.  The unique format of the race will allow for passing even though the run is timed.  For 2019, there will be a 2^nd shorter race that will start just below the top of the Stella Chair lift.  Combined times for both runs will determine the winners.  Seeding for the race will also be unique as participant fundraising efforts will determine which seed they will start in (I.E. the top 10 fundraisers will start in the first 10, etc.)  Seeds will be sorted randomly based on skiing ability to limit the amount of passing that will occur on course. Although there will be teams of 2 or 4 people, fundraising will be tracked at the individual level and will only count towards that individuals start seed.  After the 2^nd run, participants will enjoy a BBQ at the Lakeview Lodge followed by awards.

The event welcomes young and old, casual or serious participants, and there are many ways to get involved – start a team, join a team. Those that don’t ski or board can pledge a participant, volunteer at the event, or attend the awards dinner/auction.

Awards will recognize top teams/participants in different age categories, as well as youngest and oldest participants, and top fundraisers.

Following the ski event on Saturday night is an auction/awards party in Schweitzer’s Lakeview lodge.  The auction, which is open to the public, is expected to feature more than 100 live and silent auction items, as well as an amazing dinner.  Auction tickets are $45 and available at www.24hoursforhank.org.  The after-party, featuring live music from the RUB, will be held from 9 pm to midnight at Taps in Schweitzer’s Lakeview lodge.

The event benefits 24 Hours for Hank, a Sandpoint foundation established to raise money for cystinosis research and treatment.  Funds raised locally are contributed to the national Cystinosis Research Foundation to help find a cure for this extremely rare, genetic disease that slowly destroys every organ in the body including the kidneys, liver, eyes, muscles, thyroid and brain. Cystinosis affects just 500 people (mainly children) nationwide.

For more information on the event and auction, or to register, volunteer or donate an auction item, visit www.24hoursforhank.org or call 208.610.2131.  Major sponsors include Schweitzer Mountain Resort, TraskBritt, Kochava, Litehouse, SimulStat, EzyDog, The Alpine Shop, and Centennial Distribution.

About 24 Hours for Hank

24 Hours for Hank is a nonprofit foundation established by friends and family of Hank Sturgis to raise money for cystinosis research.  Since September 2008, the Sandpoint, Idaho-based organization has helped raise more than $1,300,000 for the national Cystinosis Research Foundation supporting medical research to improve treatment and ultimately find a cure for the terminal disease.  For more information or to make a donation, visit www.24hoursforhank.org.  All gifts are tax deductible as allowed under the tax code of the IRS.

About Hank Sturgis

Hank was born in July 2006, a healthy 8½ pounds.  At nine months old, he was losing weight, had trouble sitting up, and wouldn’t crawl.  By 16 months, he had fallen off the growth chart.  After many tests, Hank was diagnosed with Cystinosis, Fanconi Syndrome and Rickets.  Today he has a rigorous medication schedule as well as weekly physical therapy sessions.  Despite his challenges, Hank is happy, lovable and full of spirit.  He does not yet know what his future may hold – painful eye drops to prevent blindness, kidney transplant, heart problems, and other organ and muscle failures.  His parents hope a cure will be found that will prolong his life.

About Cystinosis

Cystinosis is a rare genetic disease that affects just 500 children and young adults in the U.S. and only 2,000 people worldwide.  The fatal disease causes the amino acid “cystine” to accumulate in the cells of the body, which over time damages various organs including the kidneys, liver, muscles, white blood cells, eyes and central nervous system.  Other complications include muscle weakness, growth loss, difficulty swallowing and developmental delays.  Although medication is available to control some of the symptoms, there is no cure.