My Everest Dream

My name is Mark and I was set to climb the Everest last year, but I was dealt a setback. I was diagnosed with a hole in my heart, between the right and left upper chambers. The condition is called a Patent Foreman Ovale. This hole exists in everyone before birth, but usually closes shortly after. About 25% of the general population is walking around with one of these, and while many (lowlanders) will not need treatment, this defect can be deadly at high altitudes. So in my case, It was very important to find this hole since it significantly raises the risk of Stroke and Pulmonary Edema (fluid in the lungs) at high altitudes. Because of this, I needed to be cleared by a cardiologist before returning to the mountains. The only way to do that was by getting the hole closed. My options were to get a closure device implanted at the location of the heart wall defect. The closure device is formed so that it straddles each side of the hole. The entire procedure took about an hour and I could leave the same day, but the device will remain in my heart permanently. I have made a full recovery and have since been cleared to climb again. I am going to Everest in a few weeks, but I need your help. Since I dipped into my Everest savings last year to cover the price of my heart procedure, I could use the support to help offset the price of an expedition of this magnitude. Any amount will go a long way. Thank you!