Boston’s life science sector is world renowned for solving intractable problems. Whether it be bringing a COVID-19 vaccine to market in record time or helping lift up the community where they live and work, the sector’s employees and leaders never shy away from a challenge. Now, they are applying their grit and fortitude to solving one of our most pressing social needs—poverty.
Luke Timmerman, founder of the biotech journalism outlet Timmerman Report, has gathered a diverse group of 20 life science executives to take on a new challenge with the goal of raising vital funds for Life Science Cares—the Timmerman Traverse!
The Timmerman Traverse will take an intrepid group of hikers 23 miles across the Presidential Traverse in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. From September 13-15, the group of climbers curated by Timmerman will ascend seven peaks to raise awareness and funds for Life Science Cares. Each of the participants has committed to raise $25,000 and cumulatively raise $500,000 for Life Science Cares and its network of nonprofit partners.
“Life Science Cares is a fantastic organization and one that aligns with Silicon Valley Bank’s ongoing desire to contribute to the greater good. Supporting present and future generations and ensuring that everyone—regardless of income level—has access to food, shelter and medical care,” said Katherine Andersen, Head of Life Science & Healthcare Corporate Banking and Relationship Management at Silicon Valley Bank. “To date SVB has committed $10.5 million to support global COVID-19 relief activities focused on health, food security and shelter, and small business relief.”
Along with presenting sponsor Silicon Valley Bank, the following organizations are sponsoring the three-day climb: WSGR & pH Foundation, Faber Law, SmartLabs, 5AM Ventures, Aquilo Partners, Accenture, Apollo Health Ventures, Atlas Venture, Bain Capital Life Sciences, CBRE, Cooley, Dicerna, Flagship Pioneering, Goodwin, King St Properties, MassBio, Qiming Venture Partners, Putnam Associates, RA Capital, Sofinnova Investments, The Bowdoin Group, Third Rock, Verge Scientific Communications, 1 AB, Browne Consulting Group, Clora, CRL, DCF Group, Deloitte, DLA Piper, FMB Research, Foley Hoag, HC Wainwright, Janitronics, Klein Hersh, Lightstone Ventures, MacDougall Biomedical Communications, Mintz, Paul Hastings LLP, SR One, Wolf Greenfield, Mofo Foundation, IQVIA, WilmerHale, Acquis Consulting, Anika Therapeutics, Danforth Advisors, Longitude Capital.
While the team has met the initial $500,000 goal, they are focused on reaching even higher to support Life Science Cares. All funds the team raises will benefit Life Science Cares’ grant making to partner nonprofit organizations working in the areas of basic needs (food, shelter, access to medical care); education (STEM/STEAM, enrichment & digital equity); and economic sustainability (internships, workforce development, and job skills training).
“When Luke approached us with the idea for this hike benefitting Life Science Cares, we were both excited and grateful,” said Sarah MacDonald, Executive Director of Life Science Cares. “The hundreds of thousands of dollars being raised allows us to support access to basic needs, access to education and access to opportunity at a critical time. With the impacts of COVID still being felt by our neighbors in need, these funds are of vital importance.”
DONATE: To support the fundraising effort, visit https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/TimmermanTraverse2021 to donate. Individual climber pages are listed on the right of the above landing page.
The Timmerman Traverse team includes:
- Luke Timmerman, founder, Timmerman Report
- Katrine Bosley, executive chair, Arrakis
- Samantha Truex, venture partner, Atlas Venture
- Katherine Andersen, Head of Life Science & Healthcare Corporate Banking and Relationship Management, Silicon Valley Bank
- Abe Ceesay, president, Cerevel
- Anna French, partner, Qiming Venture Partners
- Kathy Bowdish, CEO, PIC Therapeutics
- Doug Fambrough, CEO, Dicerna Pharmaceuticals
- Jeb Keiper, CEO, Nimbus Therapeutics
- Alex Harding, Entrepreneur in Residence, Atlas Venture
- Reid Huber, partner, Third Rock Ventures
- Julia Owens, executive chairman, Millendo Therapeutics
- Deb Palestrant, partner, 5AM Ventures
- Paul Biondi, executive partner, Flagship Pioneering
- Art Krieg, founder and CSO, Checkmate Pharmaceuticals
- John Alam, founder and CEO, EIP Pharma
- Dave Melville, founder and CEO, The Bowdoin Group
- Alice Pomponio, managing director, BrightEdge, American Cancer Society
- Vineeta Agarwala, general partner, Andreesen Horowitz
- Erin Duffy, chief of R&D, CARB-X
- Jens Eckstein, managing partner, Apollo Health Ventures
- Parag Shah, founding managing partner and CEO of K2 HealthVentures