In October 2009, I was privileged to hike up Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa, having raised over $10,000 to qualify for the trip with MS Climb. What an adventure! With the help of family and friends who contributed generously to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada over the course of 9 months, I joined a group of 22 others to try for the top of Mt. Kili.

I almost made it – my ’summit’ was at 5,600 metres (the mountain’s summit is 5895metres), but that’s another story!

I’m not a climber; in fact, prior to this adventure, I had never fully participated in any athletic activity in my 63 years of life! In 2009, I did alter my diet a bit and regularly followed a somewhat-strenous program at the gym to get ready for the trek.

Doing this climb was life-altering; I knew when it was over that I wanted to do more. I benefited tremendously not only from the fitness and well being that I gained from regular exercise, but also from the connection with fellow teammates before and during the climb.

It was so much fun that it would be difficult for me to resist doing it again. And the fabulous feeling of making a contribution to support a good cause drove me to my goal every step of the way. That’s why this year I’ve chosen to trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (Peru) and raise another $10K. YOU would be most welcome to come along too…..”