Meghan’s Mountain is the story of Sarah “Meghan” Steinberg’s fight against cancer and how she opened the world to a clearer and better understanding of what cancer patients and their families endure in their search for a cure. Through Meghan’s journey we learned how each of us needs to give of our time and resources to make sure that no cancer patient and their family members will ever climb their mountain alone. Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ever.

On January 29, 2005, Meghan, at the age of twenty-two, was diagnosed with leukemia (AML). At the time she was a student at the University of Louisville School of Justice Administration. Because of her illness, Meghan had to withdraw from school, give up her part time job, and begin the fight of her life - to climb a mountain against a disease that was known to kill.

In the early stages of her fight, Meghan realized that she nor her family truly understood what a cancer patient had to endure to beat this terrible disease. No one realized the emotional and financial toll cancer can take on a family. If they didn’t understand, then others must also not understand. For that reason, Meghan decided to open her world so that others could climb her mountain with her. She called her climb Meghan’s Mountain.

Almost daily an email, often with pictures, went out to those on her email list explaining what her climb entailed. What Meghan didn’t know was that others were forwarding that email to their relatives and friends. Before long, those emails reached people in over 25 states (a middle school class in California sent her cards), and as far as Africa (where an orphanage sent her cards and prayed daily for her), France, India and Mexico. People were learning for the first time what a cancer patient and their family had to endure. The world of cancer is a world of its own, but Meghan opened that world to all of us.

After her cancer was put in remission, Meghan arrived at the Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington, where she would spend almost four months undergoing a life-saving procedure called a stem cell transplant (sometimes called a bone marrow transplant). Her brother Justin was her match. Without this transplant, Meghan would not have had a chance at life. Meghan returned home in October of 2005.

Meghan’s journey had an impact on many. While in Seattle, Meghan received over 400 cards from people all over the world. She received autograph pictures and best wishes from Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher, Lt. Governor Steve Pence, University of Louisville head Coach Rick Pitino. She even received a personal phone call from former player and then general manager of the Washington Wizards, Wes Unseld.

The person who touched Meghan the most was former U of L head Coach and Naismith Hall of Fame Coach Denny Crum.  Coach Crum visited her and /or called her each time she was hospitalized, sent her cards and letters when she was in Seattle and stayed by her side during her entire battle against cancer. Not only was Meghan’s Mountain’s first two fundraisers at his home, but he attended every fundraiser she had. Coach would many times accompany Meghan to visit both children and adults who were recently diagnosed with cancer. Together they lit the mountain with love and hope for many.

Soon after her diagnosis, Meghan had visitors from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to help answer any of her questions and to give her love and support. Upon her return from Seattle, even though in the early stages of her recovery, she decided to raise funds for the Society through their annual Light the Night Walk.

While keeping her distance from people to protect her immune system, Meghan gave speeches to the Team in Training members who raise money for the Society. She gave them their first look at a cancer patient climbing a mountain to live. But that was not all. Surrounded by members of the Team, Meghan ran the final few blocks to cross the finish line of the Kentucky Derby Mini-Marathon to show the world you never give up. Meghan held three fundraisers and raised over $32,900, the most money every raised by any one person in all of Kentucky and Southern Indiana. She also was responsible for the first ever Leukemia & Lymphoma Night at the Louisville Bats baseball game.

For her efforts she was awarded the 2006 Honoree of the Societies Journey of Hope Award and the 2006 Winner’s Circle Award.

Before starting Meghan’s Mountain Charitable Foundation, Inc. Meghan also had the following accomplishments:

• Worked with the National Marrow Donor Program in Minneapolis to encourage people to register as a donor for those needing a bone marrow transplant. Her picture receiving a transplant appeared on mini-billboards and bus station shelters.

• Worked with students in schools to make holiday cards for those fighting cancer who would be in hospitals during the holiday season. In 2007 she collected over 500 cards that were distributed throughout hospitals in Louisville, Cincinnati and Seattle.

• Visited newly diagnosed cancer patients in hospitals, and with their permission, sent emails to those on Meghan’s Mountain so that people would send cards and gifts to light their mountains with love and hope.

Meghan’s story has appeared in the Courier-Journal, the Community Paper, and she has appeared on several local TV stations. Metro Council, the governing body of the city of Louisville presented her with an award for her efforts in raising awareness of the need to help cancer patients and their families. Kentucky Lt. Governor Steve Pence personally honored Meghan by having her become a member of the Order of Kentucky Colonels.

In 2006 Meghan returned to the Seattle for her one-year checkup. It was that visit that started what is now known as Meghan’s Mountain Charitable Foundation. Please read “Why Direct Patient Care” to learn what made Meghan’s Mountain a reality.

Since her original diagnosis, Meghan continued to battle cancer and its side effects in one form or another, but never let it interfere with her lighting mountains for others. Meghan battled three more rounds of cancer before passing away on January 23, 2016. Her last wish was that her foundation continue so that others would know they will never climb their mountain alone.

Meghan’s funeral was very special. Over 500 people attended with her sister Libby, her Rabbi, Bob Slosberg and Hall of Fame Coach Denny Crum, giving her eulogy. She was escorted to her final resting place by over a dozen police and sheriff’s cars leading the procession. Cards and letters came from all over the world and donations in her memory totaled almost $30,000.00.

The Future of Meghan's Mountain

Sarah “Meghan” Steinberg lived her life for others so that their journey against cancer would not be alone. She taught the world what it was like to be a victim of cancer. And that cancer can never define who you are if you believe.

With your help we, the directors, officers and Advisory Board, will do all we can to make sure that Meghan’s dreams continue so that no one will ever climb their mountain alone. Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ever.

We thank those that have been a part of this journey with us, and we welcome you if you are new to Meghan’s Mountain.

We invite you to read the initial emails of our journey: click here.

TOGETHER WE CAN AND WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE