Kilimanjaro climb begins

August 9, 2011

MOSHI, Tanzania — Tuesday proved a rewarding day for the team – one day before the climb begins on Wednesday.

Tuesday, on behalf of the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation, members of the Kilimanjaro Climb 2011 team made a donation of $50,000 to the Canadian Network for International Surgery (CNIS) to enhance surgical and obstetrical training at the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) in the city of Moshi.

The KCMC, established in 1971 on spacious grounds beneath the snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro, is a medical centre of vital importance to the people of Tanzania, providing care to more than 11 million people.

Like Edmonton’s Royal Alexandra Hospital, the KCMC is also a teaching hospital and home to the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical College, an important training ground for healthcare workers in Tanzania. The surgical lab project by the CNIS will help enhance the surgical skills of general practitioners, interns and final year medical students, including abdominal surgery, compound fractures and many others. A special emphasis is being placed on caesarean sections, as one in 13 women in Tanzania die every year during childbirth due to not having access to emergency c-section surgery.

Members of the Kilimanjaro team visited the KCMC early Tuesday to present a cheque to Dr. Ronald Lett, International Director of CNIS. The climbers also toured the KCMC surgical lab, and had the opportunity to meet Canadian surgeons and their Tanzanian students who will benefit from the enhancements.

Everyone has shaken off their jet lag and taken some time to get acclimatized, exploring the streets of Moshi and visiting markets to get a feel for the local culture.

Sharlene Rutherford, Vice President of the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation and one of the 37 climbers on the expedition, was fascinated to report how ancient tribal tradition and new technology collide in Tanzania. “On the way to the hospital, we passed by Maasai herdsmen dressed in traditional red cloaks, carrying long sticks for herding their cattle. They wear sandals made of recycled tires and are busy texting on their cell phones as they stroll.”

On Wednesday, the team leaves for Rongai Gate, close to the border of Kenya, where the journey to the top of Kilimanjaro will begin.

THE BACKSTORY: FOR ORTHOPEDICS EXCELLENCE

For the Royal Alex’s intrepid team of mountaineers, the adventure to scale Mount Kilimanjaro — the rooftop of Africa — is now underway.

At 5,895 metres (19,340 feet), Mount Kilimanjaro stands as one of the true wonders of the natural world. It has inspired poets and writers through the ages and captivated some of history's most daring explorers.

A group of 37 doctors, professionals and business leaders who support the Royal Alexandra Hospital are enjoying their journey of a lifetime as they ascend the fabled slopes.

Each volunteer climber is paying for their own travel expenses to and from Africa and all costs associated with the climb.

As well, each climber is committed to raise funds for the Royal Alexandra Hospital and its new Orthopedic Surgery Centre, a new building dedicated solely to hip and knee replacements and an exciting new hub of innovative orthopedics research.

With support from corporate sponsors, local businesses and the fundraising efforts of the climbers, the goal is to raise more than $500,000 in support of orthopedics excellence in Alberta.

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