Pastor to climb mountain in memory of daughter

HOUSTON (FOX 26) - One step at a time. It's how Chad Barrett scales this rock wall. 

“I want to live life to the fullest,” he said.  It's also how he survived his daughters four your battle with cancer.  “Life can be difficult but if you take one step at a time, one faith at a time, don't lose your faith, keep going you'll eventually turn around and look back and see how far I've come,” said Barrett.

Kristina was just 12 when she died in 2014 from a rare soft tissue cancer. 

“It's not something I'd wish on my worst enemy,” he said. 

Now the 42-year-old Kingwood pastor is giving back to the foundation that helped his family financially and emotionally during that terrible time -- Children's Cancer Recovery. 

“It helps me personally to do this because it gives purpose to my pain. And to carry her legacy of bringing hope to people.”

In June, Barrett will climb Mount Hood in Portland, Oregon.  It’s called "Expedition For Hope."  The 2-day climb will be the focus of a documentary.  He's hoping to raise 25-thousand dollars. 

“There are so many families with kids with cancer who are climbing a very steep and tough mountain. I know Children's Cancer Recovery Foundation comes alongside and says ‘let us help support you.’ That's why want to do this,” he said.

We first profiled Barrett on FOX 26 News two years ago right before he jumped out of an airplane to help the foundation. It was part of a Guinness world record for tandem skydiving that day. Now instead of jumping he'll be climbing, and Kristina will be along for the journey. 

“I picture Kristina trucking right along through her journey with cancer and I can picture her saying you got this Dad, you can do this,” he said.

To help Chad Barrett reach the top of Mt. Hood please visit: www.expeditionforhope.com.