Climb Your Heart Out participants sport Roots gear as they scale Africa's highest mountain
Reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa’s highest mountain, takes fortitude, tenacity and passion. In August, 12 supporters of the Save A Child’s Heart charity accepted the challenge in an effort to raise $1 million for lifesaving heart surgeries for African children. In addition to raising funds, the organization held a seven-day teaching and surgery mission at the Bugundo Medical Centre in Mwanza, Tanzania.
Roots learned about the initiative, named Climb Your Heart Out, from Dr. Bernie Goldman, a longtime friend of the company and Chairperson of the board of directors of Save A Child’s Heart’s Canadian chapter. To show its support, Roots donated toques, baseball caps and T-shirts for those making the climb.
“All of our climbers and porters were so touched by the Roots gear,” says Emma Hacohen, Project Coordinator of Climb Your Heart Out. “After hours and hours of hiking every day, it was always comforting to spot in the distance the grey hats that all our porters wore proudly. It meant food and shelter were close by.”
The event’s participants came from Canada, the United States, Israel, South Africa and Ethiopia. Seven climbers reached the top of Uruhu Peak, Mount Kilimanjaro’s highest peak, with two others reaching Stella Point, about 160 m below.
“It was a humbling and exhilarating experience,” says Emma. “At the bottom of the mountain, it seemed insurmountable but taking it one day at a time, I sensed we were conquering it. I guess it’s similar to what we’re doing at Save a Child’s Heart. Saving children with heart disease also seems insurmountable. But one heart at a time we are making a difference.”
The Israeli-based organization is dedicated to improving the quality of pediatric cardiac care of children living with heart disease in developing countries, including neighbouring Arab countries. Children from around the world are brought to the Wolfson Medical Centre in Holon, Israel to receive treatment. The organization also conducts surgical and teaching missions in partnering countries across the globe. Medical personnel from those nations also have the opportunity to come to Israel and receive pediatric cardiac care training, which can then be used to help children in their home countries.
Since 1995, Save A Child’s Heart has treated more than 2,600 children and trained 56 physicians. It has offices in 12 countries worldwide.
• For more information or to contact the organization’s Canadian chapter, visit www.saveachildsheart.ca
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