Dr. Boyer on Mt. McKinley
SEATTLE, Wa. — July 15, 2008 — Dr. Thomas Boyer, a physician specializing in emergency medicine, has successfully climbed Mt. McKinley, at 20,320 feet the highest peak in North America, the first in a series of ascents of the highest peaks on every continent in the world, including Mt. Everest. Dr. Boyer is climbing to raise funds to help amputees walk again, through his partnership with Seattle’s Prosthetics Outreach Foundation, an international humanitarian organization headquartered in Seattle. Only 45 other people in history have completed the challenge which Dr. Boyer has set for himself.
Says Dr. Boyer, “I have so much admiration for people who overcome challenges. To an amputee in a poor country with no healthcare system, the idea of walking again is about as big a challenge as climbing Mt. Everest. The Prosthetics Outreach Foundation has provided prosthetics limbs to over 14,000 amputees around the world during the past 20 years. I want to do whatever I can to help.”
On July 2, Dr. Boyer completed the first stage of his quest, with his successful ascent of Mt. McKinley (also known as Denali). The remaining peaks, known collectively with McKinley as “The Seven Summits,” are:
Europe: ............. Mt. Elbrus ................ 18,519 ft. ...... Aug. 2 - 15, 2008
Africa: ............... Mt. Kilimanjaro ....... 19,340 ft. ...... Aug. 16 - 24, 2008
S. America: ........ Mt. Aconcagua ......... 22,841 ft. ..... Nov. 28 - Dec. 21, 2008
Antarctica: ......... Mt. Vinson ............... 16,067 ft. ..... Jan. 2009
Asia & World: ..... Mt. Everest .............. 29,002 ft. .... Mar. - June 2009
Oceania: ............ Mt. Carstensz and .... 16,024 ft ...... Oct. 2009
........................... Mt. Kociuszko .......... 7,310 ft. ....... Oct. 2009
(There is debate over which seven peaks count as “the seven.” Some argue that Kosciuszko, the highest point in Australia, should be included. Others argue that Australia is not a continent, but that Australasia is, and that therefore Indonesia's Carstensz should be included. Dr. Boyer will climb all eight peaks.)
In addition to the above-named mountains, on August 26 - Oct 14 2008, Dr. Boyer will climb Cho Oyu in Nepal, the world’s sixth-highest peak at 26,906 ft., if the Chinese government opens the Tibetan borders.
“When Dr. Boyer said he wanted to make these climbs supporting our work providing prosthetic limbs to amputees in developing countries, I thought, this is going to help a lot of people walk,” said Fred Jacobs, Director of Development at the Prosthetics Outreach Foundation. “The money Tom raises will help war victims, accident victims, and children born with severe deformities. A few dollars worth of metal and plastic lets an amputee walk again, literally picking them up off the ground so they can support themselves and their family. They feel whole again, both physically and emotionally. The transformation is miraculous. I’m so excited about the good which is coming from these climbs. Our goal is to raise $150,000 in this campaign. One of our donors called it ‘unambiguously morally positive’ – I like that.”
........................................................................................................
The Prosthetics Outreach Foundation works tirelessly to promote the right to walk for the underserved in Bangladesh, Sierra Leone, and Vietnam.
This Seattle-based non-profit trains medical personnel in its focus countries to manufacture, fit, and distribute prosthetic limbs to amputees. The staff of Prosthetics Outreach Foundation adapts their methods to the local conditions of each target country, identifying which local materials will create the best prosthetic limbs. This organization also devotes their efforts to the eradication of clubfoot, an immobilizing birth defect, using the effective Ponseti treatment for early stage treatment and surgery when necessary. When medical care alone is not enough, Prosthetics Outreach Foundation offers microloans to its patients.
This Seattle-based non-profit trains medical personnel in its focus countries to manufacture, fit, and distribute prosthetic limbs to amputees. The staff of Prosthetics Outreach Foundation adapts their methods to the local conditions of each target country, identifying which local materials will create the best prosthetic limbs. This organization also devotes their efforts to the eradication of clubfoot, an immobilizing birth defect, using the effective Ponseti treatment for early stage treatment and surgery when necessary. When medical care alone is not enough, Prosthetics Outreach Foundation offers microloans to its patients.
Bangladesh: Prosthetics Outreach Foundation provides prosthetic and orthotic care to amputees and others with limb deformities.
Sierra Leone: Civil war created thousands of amputees. Mr. Gabrilla Sesay calls the microloan he used to start his bike shop "the life cable of my life."
Sierra Leone: Single Leg Amputee Sports Club, a partner of Prosthetics Outreach Foundation, presents the Makeni Amputee Soccer Team.
Sierra Leone: Single Leg Amputee Sports Club, a partner of Prosthetics Outreach Foundation, presents the Makeni Amputee Soccer Team.
Vietnam: A clubfoot patient before and after her corrective surgeries.
.
How to Support the Campaign
Donations are currently being accepted online at http://www.pofsea.org/ . Click on the “Donate” button at the top of the page. Or, mail donations to Prosthetics Outreach Foundation, 400 East Pine St Suite 225, Seattle, WA 98122
Learn more about Prosthetics Outreach Foundation and see pictures of Dr. Boyer’s Mt. McKinley climb at http://www.pofsea.org/ .
Donations are currently being accepted online at http://www.pofsea.org/ . Click on the “Donate” button at the top of the page. Or, mail donations to Prosthetics Outreach Foundation, 400 East Pine St Suite 225, Seattle, WA 98122
Learn more about Prosthetics Outreach Foundation and see pictures of Dr. Boyer’s Mt. McKinley climb at http://www.pofsea.org/ .
No comments:
Post a Comment