Alex Pancoe, mountain climber, dies while battling leukemia, fundraising for Lurie Children's Hospital: 'He was full of life'
Share this @internewscast.com

CHICAGO (WLS) — On Tuesday, a mountain climber from the Chicago area is being honored for his incredible bravery and commitment to aiding others, as he faced leukemia.

Alex Pancoe, 39, passed away during an expedition in the Himalayas, which was meant to generate funds for cancer research. His wife, Nina Pancoe, spoke about his remarkable dedication to helping people and his love for the mountains.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

“He was vibrant and full of life. His passion, kindness, and desire to give back to the community through the climbing he cherished was immeasurable,” Nina said.

Alex was an accomplished mountain climber and Northwestern University graduate who had scaled Everest and Denali, all in an effort to raise money for Lurie Children’s Hospital and cancer research.

He was full of life. He had so much passion and kindness

“He loved raising money for Lurie Children’s. He was treated for a brain tumor when he was in college. To be able to give back something he loved so much,” Nina said.

Nina says not long ago, they learned Alex’s cancer had returned. But his training for the grueling climbs continued.

“He told me, ‘I’m not going to let cancer stop me. Prove to people no matter what they get in life, you can do it,'” Nina said. “When someone is so passionate about something, you can’t take it away. You have to cheer him on. I was my husband’s biggest cheerleader. I know how happy the mountains made him.”

He loved his kids to the moon and back

The day Alex died, Nina says, he had just returned to base after acclimating for the big summit climb of Mount Makalu, the fifth highest mountain in the world. Alex apparently went into cardiac arrest just an hour after Nina spoke to him. They have a 2-year-old son and an infant daughter.

“He said, ‘What scares me is not being there for my kids.’ He loved his kids to the moon and back,” Nina said. “He died in a place he loved; he died doing what he loved. That’s something I have to hold to my heart.”

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Boeing settles with Paul Njoroge, man whose wife, 3 children died in 737 Max crash in Ethiopia in 2019, averting trial in Chicago

Boeing Reaches Settlement with Paul Njoroge, Man Who Lost Family in 2019 Ethiopian 737 Max Crash, Avoids Chicago Trial

Boeing has reached a settlement with a Canadian man named Paul Njoroge,…
Trump touring Texas flood damage Friday

Trump to Visit Texas to Assess Flood Damage on Friday

KERRVILLE, Texas (AP) — On Friday, President Donald Trump visited Texas to…
Country singer Conner Smith involved in Nashville crash, killing pedestrian

Emerging Country Artist Conner Smith Cited Following Deadly Accident in Nashville

Police indicated Smith showed no signs of impairment at the time of…
Parents crashing honeymoons becomes bizarre new travel trend

Unexpected Trend: Parents Tagging Along on Honeymoon Trips

Traditionally, a honeymoon serves as a unique getaway for newlyweds to relax…
Israel Gaza Concentration Camp: Haaretz Calls Out Rafah Camp

Haaretz Criticizes Rafah Camp in Gaza, Referring to It as a “Concentration Camp”

Israel’s defense minister is promoting a plan to herd Gaza’s entire population…
Firefighters responding to a fire at Singas Famous Pizza.

76-Year-Old Grandmother Loses Life in E-Bike Battery Explosion at Pizzeria – Son Finds Her Severely Burned

A grandma was killed after an e-bike battery went up in flames…
Jacksonville protest against Camp Blanding detention facility

Jacksonville Demonstration Opposes Detention Center at Camp Blanding

Advocates in Northeast Florida are protesting Gov. DeSantis’s plan to turn Camp…
Anti-ICE Protestors Douse Themselves in Milk to Fight Off Pepper Spray at Cannabis Facility in California

Protesters Against ICE Use Milk to Counteract Pepper Spray at California Cannabis Facility

An extensive Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid occurred at Glass House…
Andre Agassi snaps at commentator over celebrity Wimbledon questions

Andre Agassi Responds Firmly to Commentator’s Celebrity Wimbledon Inquiries

Andre Agassi is at Wimbledon to talk tennis, not to fawn over…

Tragic Loss: TikTok Influencer Aldo Miranda, 32, Discovered Dead at His Residence; Last Emotional Post Surfaces

TIKTOK star Aldo Miranda has died at 32 after sharing a devastating…
'I couldn't stay silent anymore'

‘I Had to Speak Up’

Actor Derek Dixon from “The Oval” has stepped forward after filing a…
Canadian police official warns 'traditional values' may be sign a person is becoming 'extremist'

Canadian Police Officer Cautions that ‘Traditional Values’ Could Indicate Emerging Extremism

A spokesperson for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) cautioned on Tuesday…