I am a retired military officer, a living kidney donor, and a passionate mountaineer. In January 2017, I donated a kidney to a West Point classmate who is alive and well today. Since then, I have climbed Mount Everest, completed the Seven Summits, and set a Guinness World Record as the fastest person to climb the 50 US state high points—all as a living kidney donor. My journey has shown that donating a kidney does not limit what you can achieve. Alongside other living kidney donor athletes, I have proven that living donation is no barrier to living a life full of adventure and extreme endurance activities.

Now, I am setting out to become the first living kidney donor to attempt climbing Makalu, the world’s 5th highest mountain. This expedition is about more than just reaching the summit; it’s about inspiring others and breaking down misconceptions about what living kidney donors can do. The funds raised will help cover the cost of the Makalu expedition, including flights between the USA and Nepal, trekking to base camp, a month of acclimatization, a summit attempt with a Nepalese Sherpa guide, base camp staff, bottled oxygen, and a helicopter flight back to Kathmandu after the climb.

Calling out to my friends, family, living kidney donors and recipients, the incredibly strong people dealing with kidney disease and dialysis, and mountaineering fans everywhere: Please give and support the mission to see a living kidney donor summit the world’s 5th highest peak. It’s 1 Kidney Beyond Everest: almost as tall, but more difficult than Everest!