Hi All! Finally home after a long trip home. Due to technical difficulties in our plane, we were delayed in Tanzania for an additional 24 hours before we could begin the journey back home.
This was the first pic that was taken of the 3 of us, we when first met at the airport in Amsterdam.
We are thrilled to report that the K Team (Dr. Benza, Dr. Frantz, and Jessica) reached the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro earlier today, and are descending the mountain as we make this post!
Each Friday morning, the PHA staff gathers for our weekly staff meeting. Today we had an incredible opportunity to have the climbers call in to our meeting as they make their descent. Dr. Benza took a moment to describe his mountaintop experience:
"It was simply astounding being on the top of that mountain...and today it was hard to breathe with each step... We were stressed. It's exactly what our patients feel...so it really gave us even much more of an appreciation for what our patients have to suffer every day of their lives. And that really, really endeared us to them that much more."
So on behalf of the climbers, thank you for the ways you have maximized this unique opportunity to impact PH awareness and support for research and patient-serving programs! Listen to the full "Summit Day" audio interview with the climbers below (interview is in two parts).
Summit Day Interview Part One - featuring Dr. Benza.
Summit Day Interview Part Two - featuring Jessica.
There will be plenty of pictures for the K Team to share upon their return to the States, so stay tuned to this blog!
Today Dr. Benza, Jessica and Dr. Frantz arrived safely to camp 5, from which they will attempt to summit Kilimanjaro. The K Team's final ascent begins in just a few short hours (it will be midnight in Tanzania) - and each member of the team is anxious and excited to get started! Hear more from them now and wish them luck in the comments section!
Jes, Dr. Benza and Dr. Frantz each check in from Karanga Camp after a long and challenging day of climbing. All are "doing quite well," particularly Jes, who has recovered from being ill for the last several days. Spectacular views from their camp abound. Our Kilimanjaro climbers are ready for their summit attempt, which kicks off late tomorrow night. Hear more directly from the K Team themselves, and wish them luck - and a good night's rest!
A message from Jessica and Dr. Benza - Feb. 24
(Due to poor satellite reception, Dr. Benza's last few words are cut off at the message's end.)
Each day without fail, Drs. Benza and Frantz and Jessica dial in from Mount Kilimanjaro with status updates to share with the entire PH community. On Monday, the K Team experienced otherworldly topography and amazing views. They're now facing those expected challenges as well: lowered oxygen saturation levels, increased heart rates, and altitude sickness. But they still press on, fully expecting and determined to reach Kilimanjaro's summit. Hear more about Day 3 of the climb (Feb. 22) from Drs. Benza and Frantz (and feel free to leave some encouragement if you feel led!).
As the members of the self-described "K Team" make their trek up Kilimanjaro, PHA will be occasionally making posts on their behalf along the way!
Drs. Benza and Frantz, and Jessica are checking in from the mountain each day via satellite phone - sharing with the PH community their thoughts, experiences, humor, challenges and all-around determination. Here are some of their most recent messages:
A message from Jessica and Dr. Frantz - Feb. 20
A message from Dr. Benza - Feb. 20
Finally, take a moment to check out the following video, documenting the personal journeys of PHA’s Path to a Cure climbers. Hear why these dedicated medical professionals are scaling Mt. Kilimanjaro, and share the clip with your local press & friends!
Update from the K team! We are about to head to sleep (midnite here), in anticipation of hitting the trail in the morning. Thanks to all of you for your support as we walk together on our Path to a Cure. We are energized, invigorated, and not yet acting silly from the altitude. Well, maybe Jessy is a little silly. We are hoping to be able to blog from the mountain, so keep us in mind!
