Toben Anderson

In 1994, Toben Anderson faced a challenge that threatened her very life, a crisis in the form of cancer. She beat the odds and conquered the disease by accepting responsibility, initiating change in her lifestyle and focusing on the quality of her journey. For Toben, cheating death became a metaphor for getting the most out of life and achieving goals that had previously seemed impossible. To raise support for cancer research and to inspire others to boldly chase their dreams, Toben took on the symbolic challenge of climbing to the top of the bottom of the world. On January 22, 1997, she reached the summit of Mt. Vinson Massif, the highest mountain in Antarctica.

Her victory on the mountain and her triumph over cancer immediately catapulted her into the public eye, with a featured documentary on the CBC’S Fifth Estate and an acclaimed guest appearance on the Pamela Wallin Live show. Now, she touches the hearts of thousands with her poignant story of dedication, commitment and triumphant belief delivered with a wonderful sense of humor and truth.   An inspiring and articulate speaker, Toben shares her personal journey and shows how we can all learn to survive despite the curves that life throws at us. She believes that within each of us is the ability and the responsibility to overcome adversity and achieve our dreams by becoming our own heroes! She teaches us to move beyond the problems of today by envisioning the future and the possibilities that exist just around the next corner.

Due to the overwhelming success of  The Climb for the CURE, Toben committed to expanding her vision. But during the final planning stages of the first Defying Expectations Expedition her cancer came back to challenge her yet again.  After undergoing four months of aggressive chemotherapy followed by a stem cell transplant, Toben has once more found triumph in the face of overwhelming adversity.  She has recently been named National Spokesperson for both the Canadian Cancer Society and the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and with their support will continue with her mission to teach that with courage, determination and faith, anything.. and everything..  is possible.

 "WOW!  My first standing ovation …. truly gratifying!  Toben Anderson was every bit as dynamic and personable as you promised.  She had the audience captivated and charmed.  She inspired, she impressed and she touched us with her victories.  Our lives are richer for hearing of her.  Please thank Toben for sharing her enthusiasm.
It was contagious."