As part of WKTV’s special coverage of World Kidney Day, March 10, we are presenting a series of stories, first about a Michigan donor leading an active lifestyle; a West Michigan recipient living a lively future thanks to another; an adventure of a lifetime, for a cause — a climb of Africa’s tallest mountain; and finally a first-hand story from a Michigan woman on the climb. In this third story, a photo essay of the team of donors scaling African peak.
Mount Kilimanjaro viewed from Moshi (Wikimedia Commons) 
The entire planned climb of Mt. Kilimanjaro. (Supplied) 
It takes quite a village to take an American team of climbers, in this case the Kidney Donor Athletes team, up Mt. Kilimanjaro. (Supplied) 
The progress of the Kidney Donor Athletes team’s climb as of March 7. The summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro is represented by #2 on the right. (Supplied) 
Kidney Donor Athlete team of American kidney donors and climbers in progress in their climb of Mt. Kilimanjaro. (Supplied) 
Kidney Donor Athletes team advances to base camp on Wednesday, March 9, for planned final push to summit of the mountain at sunrise, March 10. (Supplied) 
Night falls on the camp of the Kidney Donor Athletes team of American kidney donors and climbers in progress in their climb of Mt. Kilimanjaro. (Supplied) 
A beautiful sunrise as the Kidney Donor Athlete team reached their goal — the peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro. (Supplied) 
On the morning of March 10, in Africa, on World Kidney Day, the Kidney Donor Athlete team reached their goal — the peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro. (Supplied) 
On the morning of March 10, in Africa, on World Kidney Day, the Kidney Donor Athlete team reached their goal — the peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro. (Supplied)
By K.D. Norris
They climbed for a cause: to bring awareness of the plight of those in need of a donation, awareness of the need for donors, and the awareness that a donor does not need to radically alter their lifestyle, even an athletic lifestyle.
That is why a team made up of the One Kidney Climber group climbed Africa’s Mt. Kilimanjaro, reaching the top today, on World Kidney Day, March 10.
WKTV is following the African adventure of one Michigan woman, Emily Polet-Monterosso, who is part of that climb. And, with us, you can see their adventure in photos.
The climb was the first coordinated event by Kidney Donor Athletes (KDA) to bring attention to the need for living kidney donors and that those who donate can be “healthy and thrive” with one kidney.
According to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), more than 97,000 people in the U.S. are on the waiting list for kidney transplants. Over 3,000 new patients are added to this list every month. With fewer donors than there are those in need, 13 people die every day waiting for a kidney.
More information on KDA
For more information on the Kidney Donor Athletes climb, and other resources, visit kidneydonorathlete.org.
Founded in 2018, Kidney Donor Athletes is a 501(c)3 nonprofit whose mission is to promote the gift of life through living kidney donation among active individuals and athletes by building a community that inspires, supports, and educates people about the experience.
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