“Recovery doesn’t end when treatment does,” shared second-year ULSOM student Vishal John. “Survivorship is about rebuilding physically, emotionally, and socially. It’s about rediscovering who you are in a body that’s changed and learning to trust it again.”

For Vishal, that insight didn’t come from a textbook or a lecture hall. It came from a rock wall.

Before beginning medical school, Vishal volunteered with a unique program in his hometown that used rock climbing to support pediatric cancer survivors. He saw first-hand the emotional transformation that took place when a young climber, once weakened by treatment, pushed past fear, found their footing, and soared upward. He remembered the pride in the children’s faces and the sense of empowerment that returned with every climb. That memory stayed with him.

So, when Visual began medical school at ULSOM, he knew he wanted to bring that same sense of healing and joy to Louisville.

Together, with his classmates, Paige Oldfield and Liam Scott, and his friends at the Norton Children’s Cancer Institute - Dr. Kabat, a hospitalist, and Kate Dooley, a licensed social worker – Vishal helped launch Rock Cancer in Louisville. Hosted at Rock Sport Climbing Gym, the program is a free, adaptive rock-climbing program for individuals aged 4 to 25, and was designed to help those who are undergoing or have completed cancer treatment. Through Rock Cancer, climbers can reclaim strength, rebuild confidence, and find joy after their strenuous journey.  

Each climber is encouraged to bring a friend or sibling, reinforcing that recovery isn’t a solo climb. It’s a shared experience that strengthens both the body and the bond between loved ones.

“Rock climbing forces you to engage muscles that may have been weakened during treatment,” Vishal explained. “But just as important, it encourages confidence, trust, and connection. It shows survivors they are capable of not just climbing a wall, but of reclaiming their strength.”

What sets Rock Cancer apart is the passion of Vishal and his team of volunteers. As ULSOM students watch survivors mount the wall, they are reminded of the importance of healing outside of the clinic.

Still in the early years of medical school, a lot of Vishal’s learning involves textbooks and learning the basics of medicine. By engaging with survivors through Rock Cancer, he finds that he can connect to the human side of medicine. Every disease he memorizes relates to a person with a story, a family, dreams, fears, and goals for the future, and Rock Cancer helps him to remember that.

 “One moment I’ll never forget happened while I was belaying a child during a Rock Cancer session. He was nervous but determined, and when he finally reached the top of the wall, he beamed with pride. I looked to my left and saw his mom crying tears of joy. At that moment, I realized that Rock Cancer isn’t just about climbing; it’s about overcoming.”

As we recognize National Cancer Survivors Month, the Rock Cancer team hopes to raise awareness not only about the challenges of survivorship but also about the possibilities that emerge when patients are met with compassion, community and creativity.

“True healing includes more than what we do in hospitals,” said Vishal. “Sometimes it means meeting a patient on the climbing wall instead of in the clinic and being ready to catch them when they let go.”

Want to get involved with Rock Cancer? Whether you’re a student, a survivor, or a supporter, there’s a place for you in this uplifting community. Learn more and find out how you can help here.