For 362 days of the year, 1600 Glenarm Place is a luxury apartment complex in the heart of downtown Denver’s 16th street mall, but one weekend every fall it is the location of Over the Edge, a fundraiser in support of cancer research. Last weekend, many gathered to watch as around two hundred rappellers slipped into harnesses and stepped ‘over the edge’ of the 300-foot skyscraper. Those who participated individually fundraised $1,000, many raising more, for the Cancer League of Colorado. This year the group raised over $250,000 to fight the illness.
The rappellers must do the exercise alone. They all step over the side and feed the rope through ‘gri-gri’ climbing devices.
“My heart gets going and I think ‘Oh My God’,” recounts Catherine Darst, a senior nursing student at CMU who took part in the fundraiser.
Darst participates in the fundraiser due to personal experience. Her boyfriend battled Leukemia for years. She also has served many rotations in the Cancer Unit through her time in the nursing program.
“I really hadn’t been exposed to the effects of cancer before the nursing program at CMU. It’s really heartbreaking to meet people and their families who are struggling with cancer,” Darst said. “Being at CMU and the experiences I have had through nursing were really what opened my eyes and it’s why I wanted to take part in ‘Over the Edge’. It’s really amazing to do something I am passionate about and be able to help other people.”
Along with being involved with the cancer unit, Darst has a passion for rock climbing and is involved with the Outdoor Program.
“A lot of the people who do the event don’t have any experience rappelling but have been personally affected by cancer and that’s why they do it,” Darst relayed. “[Many do it] to overcome their fear of heights to support the people they love.”
Darst had support on the ground by her family and all the others staring up at the repellers.
“They brought a megaphone and were yelling encouragement all the way down,” said Darst. “My favorite moment though was stopping halfway to look around. and down, at Denver and at all the people there. Hearing my family call encouragement from below.”
While not everyone can take part in a fundraiser like this to fight cancer, Darst, who advocates for cancer supporting clubs at CMU through Associated Student Government, advises students to take part in clubs, groups, and activities on campus that provide support for Cancer Research and those affected.
“The most nerve-racking part though was trying to act cool with all the cute fireman watching,” Darst said. “They did a really good job of encouraging people and walking everyone through the safety mechanisms.”
