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7 Summits to Conquer CHD

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Hi friends, family, climbers, and fellow heart warriors! 

This mission started back in 2018... however, it originated in 1981 when I was born with dextrocardia.  Roughly 1% of children born in the US have what is known as a Congenital Heart Defect, and I was one of them.

So what is dextrocardia? 

Dextrocardia is a condition in which the heart is pointed toward the right side of the chest. Normally, the heart points to the left. The condition is present at birth (congenital). There are several types of dextrocardia. Many types involve other defects of the heart and abdomen area.

In the simplest type of dextrocardia, the heart is a mirror image of the normal heart, and there are no other problems. This condition is rare. Usually when this occurs, the organs of the abdomen and the lungs will often also be arranged in a mirror image. For example, the liver will be on the left side instead of the right. Some people with mirror-image dextrocardia also have a problem with the fine hairs (cilia) that filter the air going into their nose and air passages. This condition is called Kartagener syndrome. While I have never been diagnosed, I have had issues with my respiratory tract most of my life, though not debilitating nor hindering me from playing sports  growing up. 

So why am I here? I have always been enthralled with adventure, traveling, and pushing the limits. I have always enjoyed helping and inspiring others, and it's a mystery why it took me so long to realize whom I could help the most.

Truth be told, I never thought much about my heart condition. I knew it was rare, however, I never knew how rare, nor how many other children no adults were affected by congenital heart defects. As the saying goes... "ignorance is bliss". Why did I wait until I was 36 to learn more about something that had been a part of me my entire life?

I dove into research, found a local chapter in Orlando, FL, and began advocating/donating, and doing what I could for the local ConqueringCHD chapter (formerly the Pediatric Congenital Heart Association) met many friends along the way, mainly children that became my inspiration.  What could I do to bring light to this area in medical research as it's grossly under funded? How could I lead the way, to help others? How could I inspire the children to conquer their chd???

I come to you today, to help raise awareness for Congenital Heart Defects, by becoming the first person with a CHD to conquer all of the highest peaks on each continent, also known as the Seven Summits.... along with reaching both the North and South Poles to complete the Explorer's Grand Slam! 

These summits include:

1) Mt. Elbrus (18,510ft) Europe (Summited August 18, 2018 920am!)

Tentative Schedule for remainder of the summits plus North and South Poles

2) Mt. Kilimanjaro (19,340ft) Africa (July 2022)*
3) Denali (20,308ft) North America (June 2023)*
4)  Aconcagua (22,841ft) South America (TBD)
5)Carstensz Pyramid (16,023ft) Australasia/Oceania (TBD)
6)Mt. Vinson (16,050ft) Antarctica (TBD)
7)Mt. Everest (29,029ft) Asia (TBD)

Any and all donations towards my expeditions are GREATLY appreciated!

Also, over the course of this journey, I WILL MATCH EACH DOLLAR DONATED TO THE EXPEDITION, BACK TO CONQUERINGCHD.ORG!

By doing this, I will show children with a CHD like myself, that no matter the odds, and even with a backwards heart, we can accomplish anything we put our mind to! 

See you at the summit(s)!

Organizer

James Ronin Rutledge
Organizer
Montgomery, TX

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