A Brooklyn woman diagnosed with a rare form of blood cancer will hike the Grand Canyon to raise money for cancer research.

Catherine Sloane was diagnosed with multiple myeloma when she was 42 years old.

"I feel like I'm in the best shape of my life now and able to take on this challenge," she said.

Her friend Stacy Blain, a cancer researcher, promised to support Sloane during the hike on May 4.

The hike is about 10,000 vertical feet, which will take about nine hours to complete.

News 12 has learned the two friends meet at Catherine's terrace about once a week to train for the rigorous hike, using weights and other exercises to improve their core strength.